The low-cost airline Ryanair has been in trouble with the Federal Cartel Office in Italy for several months. The carrier has a market share of 40 percent in this state, making it by far the largest provider. Michael O'Leary, on the other hand, does not want to cooperate with the competition authorities.
The Italian authorities are taking a close look at the ticket prices that have risen sharply for many providers this year and have even raised the prospect that regulatory intervention could occur. In addition to Ryanair, numerous other airlines are also affected by proceedings. The Irish low-cost airline insists on the freedom to set ticket prices, which are anchored in an EU regulation, among other things.
The algorithm with which the low-cost retailer's sales system sets prices will also be examined in Italy. But that's exactly what Michael O'Leary doesn't want to disclose and even describes the entire test procedure as “ridiculous”. During an event held in Lisbon, he even said that there was a “gang of factory populists” in Italy.