FAST ferry operator Hoverspeed is backing moves to force low-cost airlines to stop "misleading" passengers and show all-inclusive fares.

It comes as a budget airline was fined £24,000 for misleading customers about the price of flights.

Cross-Channel ferry operators had been complaining about what they saw as unfair competition from some airlines which, they said, were not telling customers the full cost of seats on their planes.

In a case brought by Trading Standards officers, a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court found that the Dublin-based firm Ryanair was guilty of six breaches of the Consumer Protection Act.

The company had denied the offences, and claimed their prices were not misleading.

Trading Standards said the cost of insurance and tax was not included in the initially advertised price of flights from Stansted to various European destinations as initialling advertised on the company’s website. But Ryanair said customers were told the fare did not includes taxes.

Hoverspeed’s managing director Geoffrey Ede said his company welcomed moves to force low-cost airlines to show all-inclusive prices on their websites.

The Air Transport Users’ Council is to publish a report on the issue calling on airlines to stop advertising seat prices exclusive of tax.

Mr Ede said Hoverspeed was happy to take on the competition from low-cost airlines but said they were guilty of stretching the rules on pricing.

“It’s about time the relevant authorities took action to compel these so-called low-cost airlines to advertise the real price of travel,” he said.

“Hoverspeed pioneered the introduction of a transparent pricing strategy in the ferry market two years ago and our approach has helped to provide customers with real choice when it comes to travelling to France.”

Meanwhile, P&O Ferries have cut the cost of ferry travel between Dover and Calais to £30 each way, or £60 return.

“That’s less than the cost of parking a car for a week at many UK airports,” said Simon Johnson, head of tourist services with P&O Ferries. Bookings have to be made by April 11.

Return fares with Hoverspeed will start from £49 when the company’s Dover-Calais Seacat services resumed on March 17 after their winter break.

SpeedFerries are currently offering a £25 one-way fare between Dover and Boulogne, and SeaFrance - whose new ferry Berlioz is due at Dover this month - are offering five-day returns from £80, and return day trips from £26.