(ECNS) -- The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued a new rule on Wednesday, forbidding online ticketing platforms, airline companies and sales agents to automatically add optional services such as VIP lounge access and insurance policies to the cost of flight tickets.
They are forbidden to make such tie-in arrangements by default, and should instead notify passengers clearly that those services are optional, it said.
The CAAC ordered China Air Transport Association to step up supervision of online ticketing platforms and sales agents. It also required airline companies to enhance management of official websites as well as agents to ensure they conform to sales rules.
The authority called for efforts to safeguard consumer rights, especially passengers' freedom to choose.
