The Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI) has upheld complaints against two travel advertisements. It has also upheld a complaint against a Dublin garage advert which was deemed to be offensive to the gay community.
The ASAI upheld a complaint against Aer Lingus about a press advertisement, which stated: "Fly to New York from £319". A consumer who rang Aer Lingus to book a flight to New York in August was told that seats were only available for £439, plus Government taxes. She was also told that the £319 fare applied only to May and September.
Aer Lingus told the ASAI that August represented peak travel time. Bearing this in mind, the airline said, the advertisement clearly stated that "peak supplements apply" and that the fare excluded Government taxes and was subject to some conditions and availability.
The ASAI said the expression "between April and October from 319 return" disguised the fact that the £319 fare was only available in April, May and October.
A press advertisement for CIE Tours International was also complained about, according to the latest ASAI report. The advert offered flights to Toronto from £229 return, April 28th to October 6th. The complainant rang a travel agent to book a flight in July. He was told a return fare would be £359 and that the £229 fare applied only to two flights. The ASAI upheld the complaint.
A FM104 advert for Clontarf Motors was judged to be offensive to the gay community. The radio script had a father telling his son's boyfriend why he had not bought a pink Renault Megane. The advert was withdrawn.