Transport receives most complaints from EU consumers

BRUSSELS, Aug. 3 -- Transport received most complaints from

consumers in the European Union (EU), remaining the number one problem sector, a

report released on Monday said.

The annual report from the European Consumer Centers Network showed that

most complaints were concerning transport, recreational services, hotels and

restaurants. About 33 percent of the complaints were related to transport, of

which 80 percent went to air transport.

Antonio Tajani, vice president of the European Commission in charge of

transport, said he was not surprised that transport is the number one problem

sector because it is a sector which is by definition cross-border.

"I am personally very happy that air passengers are more and more aware of

their rights under community law and they use European Consumer Centers to have

their rights respected and enforced," Tajani said.

"I have made passenger rights one of my top priorities and I will ensure

that passenger rights will be into force in all modes of transport as soon as

possible," he added.

The report saw a 22 percent increase in the number of consumers turning to

them directly for help last year.

In 2008, the network handled over 62,000 contacts with EU consumers who

turn to them for advice or help with problems affecting cross-border shopping,

both in person and online.

The network helps EU consumers to use out-of-court solutions to problems

with a trader. It also reviews key issues relevant to consumers, so that their

experience can be fed back into policy initiatives and enforcement of the rules.