Ryanair has vowed to overturn a judgement fining the airline €256 million.
The ‘unsound ruling’ was levied by the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM).
On the contrary, the January 2024 Precedent Ruling of the Milan Court declared that Ryanair’s direct distribution model ‘undoubtedly benefits consumers’ and leads to competitive fares, it claims.
“The ruling validates Ryanair’s current distribution agreements, which guarantee price transparency for consumers, and safeguards the continuing availability of the lowest promotional fares on ryanair.com.”
“The AGCM’s baseless efforts to redefine a period of time after the Milan Court Ruling, and to wrongly claim that Ryanair has a dominant position in air services to/from Italy will be overturned,” Ryanair said.
It confirms it will appeal.
“In order to invent this legally unsound ruling, the AGCM has ignored the fact of Ryanair’s non-dominant (just over 30%) share of the Italian market.”
Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary added: “If today’s legally unsound AGCM Ruling and fine is not appealed, then the AGCM proposes to set itself above the Milan Courts in making competition decisions.”
Ryanair says it ‘looks forward to successfully overturning this legally flawed ruling and its absurd €256m fine.’
