Australia: Announced ACCC lawsuit against Webjet over alleged misleading marketing practices

On 28 November 2024, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced the initiation of public lawsuit proceedings in the Federal Court against Webjet Marketing. The lawsuit accuses Webjet, an online travel booking platform, of making false and misleading representations about flight prices and bookings on its app, website, marketing emails, and social media platforms. Specifically, Webjet is alleged to have advertised flight prices without including the compulsory “Webjet servicing fee” and “booking price guarantee” fees, misleading consumers about the actual minimum price of airfares. Additionally, Webjet is accused of confirming flight bookings and taking payments from consumers for 382 bookings without actually securing the flights with the airlines, subsequently requesting additional payments to complete the bookings. The ACCC seeks pecuniary penalties, declarations, injunctions, consumer redress, costs, and other orders against Webjet for these alleged breaches of the Australian Consumer Law.