Italy’s anti-trust body ruled that the carrier is exploiting its dominance.
Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has landed in trouble in yet another country. After being fined more than $100 million in Spain last year for abusive practices, Italy has now pulled up the carrier for different reasons. The antitrust authority (AGCM) ruled that the airline exploited its dominant position in the industry and blocked online travel agencies from purchasing flights or bundling them with other services. The carrier has now been fined €255 million ($300 million).
Ryanair flights account for as much as 40% of the air traffic to and from Italy, but market dominance itself is not the issue. The authority found that the airline’s strategy “blocked, hindered or made such purchases more difficult and/or economically or technically burdensome when combined with flights operated by other carriers and/or other tourism and insurance services.”
According to the authority, these practices took place from 2023 until April 2025. The airline introduced facial recognition procedures on its website for people who booked through a third party, then blocked online travel agencies (OTAs) from buying tickets and mass-deleted accounts linked to agencies’ bookings. It also imposed partnerships that restricted agencies from offering combinations of services to users. “To ‘persuade’ agencies to partner up, Ryanair periodically blocked bookings and launched an aggressive communication campaign against non-signatory OTAs, labeling them ‘pirate OTAs,’” it said.
Continue Reading Article After Our Video
Recommended Fodor’s Video
All of these actions have affected online agencies’ ability to operate, weakening competition and resulting in fewer options for consumers.
Related: Ryanair Made a Ton of Money This Year From Increasing Prices
Ryanair, meanwhile, has announced that it will appeal, calling the ruling “legally flawed,” “bizarre,” and “unsound.” In a press statement, it said the Milan Court ruled in favor of the airline in 2024 and determined that its distribution model benefits customers and leads to competitive fares.
The airline is confident the decision will be overturned on appeal. In strong language, the airline criticized the AGCM for its ruling. “Today’s Ruling shows that the AGCM cannot be trusted to protect consumers, or uphold competition law, when it can be so easily misled by a tiny number of self-serving bricks & mortar travel agents and a Spanish OTA, making false claims.”
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said that the internet and the airline’s website have allowed direct distribution to passengers, which has enabled lower fares. “Ryanair has fought for many years for transparent pricing, and our approved OTA agreements (which have been agreed by almost every large OTA, with the notable exception of one Spanish OTA, who continues to overcharge its customers for flights and ancillary services) are manifestly and clearly pro-consumer,” he said.
Related: Passenger Pleads on Her Knees to Board Ryanair Flight
This is not the first time Ryanair has faced legal troubles. Last year, Spain’s Consumer Rights Ministry issued sanctions on five budget airlines for abusive practices, including charging more for hand luggage and seat reservations for children. Of the five fined, Ryanair received the largest penalty of €108 million ($127 million).
