Budget airline Ryanair has been cleared on ten charges of misleading prices for a rival airline.

The Stansted-based firm had denied the charges. Following legal submissions, not guilty verdicts on the charges were entered following a direction to the jury by trial Judge Charles Gratwicke.

The firm denies another eight charges relating to misleading fares information on the website for some of Ryanair's own flights.

The ten charges thrown out by the judge following his ruling related to allegedly incorrect specimen fares given on the Ryanair website for flights operated by the airline Buzz.

The charges had been brought by Essex Trading Standards and relate to alleged breaches of the 1987 Consumer Protection Act in March 2003.

Miles Bennett, prosecuting, said that fares advertised at half price were not half price. Caroline Green, Ryanair head of customer services, said there had been a mistake on the day trading standards checked the website.

The trial continues.

Published Tuesday, March 1, 2005

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