UK Watchdog Investigates Virgin Atlantic & Trainline Over Pricing

Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened investigations into Virgin Atlantic, Trainline and RED Driving School over whether customers were shown the full cost of purchases when making bookings.

The regulator said it received complaints about pricing information for train and coach tickets, holidays and driving lessons. It said the investigations are at an early stage and no conclusion has been reached on whether the companies breached UK law. Trainline said it has been in discussions with the CMA for several months and is reviewing how certain fees are displayed. Virgin Atlantic said it was examining the concerns and would cooperate with the investigation. RED Driving School also said it would continue working with the regulator.

Trainline shares fell nearly 17% to 202.4 pence at 1108 GMT on Wednesday. The CMA said companies found to have broken the law could face compensation claims from affected customers and fines of up to 10% of global turnover.