(Finance) – The Antitrust makes it official the initiation of precautionary proceedings against Ryanair for “the restrictions” on the sale of low-cost airline flights by physical and online agencies “prejudicing the development of effective competition in the markets for the sale of tourist services, to the detriment of travel agencies and with negative effects on the well-being of consumers who use these operators”.
The Authority – it is explained in the Monthly Bulletin – has identified this case “the periculum requirement in default for the purposes of adopting a precautionary measure, understood as a risk of serious and irreparable damage to competition, where Ryanair’s conduct – by hindering the sale of agency tickets – is irreparably compromising the competitive dynamics of the market”.
The procedure was announced about ten days ago by Fto, the Organized Tourism Federation of Confcommercio.
Good for Codacons the intervention of the Antitrust on the subject danti-competitive practicesie abuse of a dominant position in the airline sector, but it is necessary to speed up the investigation already opened following our complaint on the use of algorithms for defining ticket prices by carriers, states the consumer association, thanks to whose complaints investigations have been opened in Italy to guarantee correctness and transparency for users.
Any damage to competition translates into damage for final consumers and an increase in tariffs, and in this sense the Antitrust is right to focus its spotlight on Ryanair – explains Codacons – However, the problem of airline ticket prices is broader and involves all operators: for this reason we await the outcome of the investigation opened after our complaint to shed light on the commercial practices connected to the use of algorithms that they cause flight prices to soar at certain times of the year and when Italian departures increase.
Also the National Consumers Union expresses satisfaction. “It is important that clarity is made immediately and action is taken without delay, given the approach of the holidays and the long weekends of 25 April and 1 May. The deadline of 8 days to be able to present written briefs and the fact that we have already set a date for the April 18 any hearingwhere requested, before the Antitrust, it is hoped that it will speed up the conclusions of the proceedings and any precautionary measures” says Massimiliano Dona, president of the National Consumers Union.
Same position for Assoutients which welcomes with satisfaction the Antitrust precautionary proceedings against Ryanair for the restrictions on the sale of the low cost airline’s flights by physical and online agencies.
“Any limit on competition must be sanctioned, especially when it occurs in sectors that are fundamental for citizens such as transport – explains President Gabriele Melluso – Already today Italians are faced with significantly increasing air ticket prices compared to the past, and it is unacceptable that an airline operates by exploiting its dominant position to the detriment of other operators and consumers. Travelers have the right to freely choose whether to purchase tickets directly from the company or through agencies according to the best opportunities that arise from time to time. This right cannot be limited by anyone, even less by companies. We would also like to remind you that on numerous national routes and for some connections between Italy and European airports, Ryanair operates under a total monopoly, enjoying a clear advantage on the market” – concludes Melluso.