Ryanair DAC and Ryanair Holdings PLC Fined Over €255 Million for Anti-Competitive Practices in Italy
Italy’s Competition Authority has imposed a hefty fine of over €255 million on Ryanair DAC and its parent company, Ryanair Holdings PLC, for engaging in anti-competitive practices that targeted travel agencies. The investigation revealed that Ryanair abused its dominant market position in the Italian scheduled passenger air transport services sector, affecting both online and traditional travel agencies. The airline's actions hindered the ability of travel agencies to sell Ryanair flights in combination with other services, ultimately limiting consumer choice and competition in the market.
The Italian regulator found that Ryanair held a significant market share, carrying 38-40% of passengers on all routes to and from Italy, giving it substantial market power. Ryanair's strategy to hinder travel agencies began in late 2022 and escalated over time with measures such as facial recognition procedures for ticket purchases through agencies, blocking booking attempts, and imposing restrictive partnership agreements on OTAs and traditional agencies. The airline's actions were aimed at limiting the ability of agencies to offer competitive services and attract internet traffic.
In response to Ryanair's anti-competitive behavior, the Competition Authority imposed the fine and required the airline to make its full white-label iFrame solution available to OTAs in April 2025. This move aimed to restore effective competition in the tourism services market and provide consumers with a wider range of options for booking flights and additional services. The Authority's decision highlighted the negative impact of Ryanair's conduct on travel agencies' sales and the overall quality of tourism services available to consumers.
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