ROME, Sept 20 (Reuters) – Italy’s antitrust agency said on Wednesday it had opened an investigation into low-cost carrier Ryanair “for possible abuse of a dominant (market) position”.
Ryanair is Europe’s largest airline and a market leader in Italy.
The Italian Competition Authority (ICA) said it suspected the carrier of exploiting its dominant position “to extend its power” in other sectors such as hotels and car rentals, to the detriment of travel agencies.
Ryanair allegedly limits travel agencies’ ability to buy its tickets from its website, thus restricting their capacity to offer accommodation and transport services alongside plane tickets, the ICA said.
Ryanair was not immediately available for comment.
The same regulator in December opened an inquiry into possible price-fixing for flights in and out of Sicily over Christmas by airlines including Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet .
The Italian government in August adopted a decree to cap airfares to Sicily and Sardinia, but on Tuesday the bill was watered down by a yet-to-be approved amendment after airlines including Ryanair challenged its legality under EU law.
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