The cost of air travel is back in the spotlight.

In Tynwald , MLC Eddie Lowey has been asking if the Office of Fair Trading thinks the prices are misleading.

Mr Lowey wanted to know if the advertising of tickets was unfair, given that only a small number of seats are sold for a low price when most of them are four or five times that amount.

He was asking the question to Chairman of the OFT Bill Henderson.

In reply Mr Henderson said that at least 10 percent of seats must be available at the 'from' price.

Because of this, he said the cheapest seats would be booked quickly and, as a result, prospective travellers would be offered seats at a higher price.

He said that it is a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection Act 1991 to give a misleading price indication.

Meanwhile, Rushen MHK Juan Watterson asked Mr Henderson if any progress was being made to prevent airlines charging for the use of credit cards.

In response, he was told as long as charges are made clear in advance of their being incurred, they are legal.