Same **** happens here in Germany. If you extrapolate what some people here take for a seat for 30 minute flights in 172s, the hourly rate to rent one would be 300 to 400 Euros. If you're a member of a local flying club you can get one for as low as 160 Euros per hour so I call "bullcrap" to cost recovery and same share for everyone, including the pilot.
A guy was interested in a 44 type rating with us, turned out he was already advertising sightseeing flights (on Wingly!) starting at the airfield down the road, which he wanted to charter our helicopter for.
And don't get me even started on gyrocopters flying professional photographers and news people, undercutting commercial helicopter operators massively and the authorities turning a blind eye to it.