Italy’s antitrust authority has launched a probe into Ryanair, the prominent Irish budget airline. According to reports from the Roman daily newspaper “Il Messaggero” (Monday edition), the airline is accused of leveraging its dominant market position in Italy to extend its reach into other tourism sectors, such as hotels and car rentals. This expansion strategy, if proven, could potentially inflict “serious and irreversible harm” on travel agencies.
Allegations suggest that Ryanair has systematically blocked tour operators from accessing its booking platform or compelled them to utilize a platform with limited options. Ryanair has been given a deadline of eight days to respond to these accusations. A hearing before the Italian antitrust authority is slated for May 18.
Monopoly Status and Market Influence
Ryanair solidified its dominance in the Italian aviation market, boasting 51.2 million passengers in 2023, according to recent data from the National Civil Aviation Authority. With a commanding 42.5 percent share of the national traffic volume, the airline holds a considerable sway. Notably, Ryanair maintains an absolute monopoly on 17 key routes within Italy.
The financial figures tell a story of substantial success for Ryanair in the Italian market. Revenues for 2023 soared to approximately 2.8 billion euros, yielding profits exceeding 300 million euros, as reported by the newspaper.
As Ryanair navigates these allegations and regulatory scrutiny, the future of its operations in Italy hangs in the balance.
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