As a celebration for connecting 15 million passengers with their favorite destinations, Viva Aerobus launched a promotion on its social networks in which it offers flights from 15 pesos, plus the airport use fee (TUA). However, users were quick to mock and describe the advertising as misleading.
In recent months, the low-cost Mexican airline has been in the eye of the hurricane of consumers and the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco), due to poor service, high prices and bad practices.
Long live Aerobus in the eye of the hurricane of consumers
From September 6, 2021, Profeco warned about the misleading advertising of Viva Aerobus, since the company does not respect the offers of consumers. For which she was sanctioned and forced to immediately withdraw the advertising.
And it is that the airline promoted “fly anywhere in Mexico for 39 pesos”; however, in small print it is mentioned that the airport use fee (TUA) is added; said advertising does not respect the price of the plane ticket that is said at the beginning.
The airline replied in a statement issued on September 6, ensuring that Viva Aerobus adheres to current regulations in accordance with the law, transparency, ethics and integrity.
Too, In the month of November 2021, Profeco placed suspension stamps at the Viva Aerobus counters at the San Luis Potosí and Puerto Vallarta airports for the same reason of charging hand luggage.
And last December, Viva Aerobus was involved in controversy for failing to comply and continuing to charge passengers for hand luggage. Given which, Profeco issued an alert on the airline, recommending that the consumer population be informed and assess the risk of establishing commercial relations with it.
The bad reputation persists
The reputation of the brands is their face towards the consumer and Viva Aerobus has not left a good taste in the mouths of those who have used its services in recent months.
The promotion offered by the airline through social networks will be valid from January to March 2022, and according to the information published on its website, the flights to which it responds are from Tijuana to Guadalajara and Monterrey; and from Guadalajara to Mexico City, Monterrey, Tuxtla Gutiérrez and Veracruz.
“Last year we connected fifteen million passengers with their favorite destinations, that’s why we want you to fly from 15 pesos plus 436.86 pesos of TUA,” reads the Viva Aerobus social networks.
😃🙌 Last year we connected fifteen million passengers with their favorite destinations, so we want you to fly from $15 pesos + $436.86 pesos from TUA. ✌️ https://t.co/resvqmvlXj #FlyA15Pesos pic.twitter.com/Uun76C4cx0
– VivaAerobus (@VivaAerobus) January 14, 2022
The advertising emphasizes that the rate does not include the TUA charge of 436.86 pesos and may vary at the time of payment.
Viva Aerobus reminds that the TUA is a fee that passengers must pay for the use of the facilities and services of Mexican airports.
Faced with the promotion, users became a trend on hashtags #15 pesos recalling the bad reputation that the brand has had and accusing it in front of Profeco for establishing a low price that will not be respected when making the transaction. However, the advertising says “from” 15 pesos and clarifies that it does not include the TUA charge.
Hears @Profeco I don’t see that they are charging me 15 varos. pic.twitter.com/WdHbKjthW3
– Andrés (The sane) 🌐 (@ej12361) January 15, 2022
Other users took the opportunity to celebrate the promotion, and recommended reading the terms and conditions, “the fine print” to avoid bad surprises.
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