Over EUR 255 million in fines for Ryanair. 'Bizarre and baseless' decision

The Italian Antitrust Office has imposed a fine of over EUR 255 million on Ryanair airlines for “abusing a dominant position” on the market. The carrier considered the penalty “bizarre and baseless” and announced that it would appeal against it.

The Italian office's allegations concern the period from April 2023 to April 2025, the Italian press reported on Wednesday.

Ryanair, which carries approximately 40 percent all passengers on routes to and from Italy, were accused of using a strategy that was intended to prevent travel agencies and agencies, including those operating on the Internet, from purchasing tickets on the carrier's website so that passengers could buy them directly.

According to the Antitrust Office, this affected the tourism market and reduced competition, leading to a deterioration in the level of services offered to customers.

Ryanair announced that the company's lawyers would immediately appeal against the decision, which they called “bizarre and baseless” and “unfair”.

Moreover, the carrier accused the office of disregarding the earlier ruling of the court in Milan, which in January 2024 stated that the direct ticket distribution model was to the benefit of customers. (PAP)

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