Italian Antitrust Authority Imposes EUR255 Million Fine on Ryanair Over Booking Restrictions

The Italian competition watchdog has levied a substantial penalty of EUR255.8 million against Ryanair, one of Europe's leading budget airlines, following an investigation into the airline's booking practices. The authority concluded that Ryanair had misused its dominant market position by limiting the ability of third-party travel agencies and intermediaries to book its flights between April 2023 and April 2025.

According to the findings, Ryanair implemented technical measures that restricted travel agencies from accessing and combining its flight offerings with additional services, such as connecting flights or travel insurance. These actions, the authority stated, hindered competition by making it more difficult for independent agencies to provide customers with a full range of travel options. The regulator noted that the airline began considering such restrictions in late 2022, with comprehensive measures enacted from April 2023 onwards.

By blocking third parties from integrating Ryanair flights into broader travel packages, the airline is alleged to have leveraged its significant market power to control distribution channels. This, according to the antitrust authority, disadvantaged both competitors and consumers by reducing choice and potentially leading to higher prices or less favorable conditions for travelers booking through agencies rather than directly with Ryanair.

The investigation highlighted that these practices were only relaxed in April 2025, when Ryanair re-enabled booking system access for third-party agencies. The authority emphasized that allowing proper integration would restore effective competition in the market, benefiting both travel intermediaries and consumers by broadening access to travel products and services.

Ryanair has responded to the penalty by announcing its intention to contest the decision. The airline referenced a prior ruling from a Milan court, which it claims supported its business model, and described the penalty as unjustified and unsupported by legal grounds. Ryanair maintains that its distribution strategy complies with applicable laws and that its direct sales model is both legitimate and consumer-friendly.

The case brings renewed attention to the ongoing tensions between airlines and third-party travel sellers over access to flight inventories and the right to package services. Regulators across Europe have frequently scrutinized such arrangements to ensure they do not impede competition or harm consumer interests.

The outcome of Ryanair's appeal could have significant implications for the broader travel industry, potentially influencing how airlines manage their distribution partnerships and how travelers access flight options in the future. For now, the antitrust authority's decision stands as one of the most prominent regulatory actions in the European aviation sector in recent years.