Ryanair Triumphs in Milan Court: A Victory for Direct Booking and Consumer Protection

In a definitive ruling on February 14th, the Milan Court of Appeal has sided with Ryanair, Europe's leading airline, in a crucial case against the claims by Lastminute and Viaggiare. These claims challenged Ryanair's unique online distribution model, suggesting it was an abuse of dominance. However, the court found Ryanair's approach, focusing on direct sales to consumers, not only justified but beneficial in reducing operational costs and eliminating the expenses tied to ticket sale intermediaries.

The court's verdict underscores the model's effectiveness in offering competitive fares directly to consumers, fostering a direct communication channel for essential flight information and updates. This direct model, according to the court, has shown no evidence of consumer harm, reinforcing Ryanair's stance against the practices of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) that inflate prices through unauthorized website scraping and the use of deceptive practices. These actions have historically misled customers, leading to overcharges and restricted access to booking management and direct communication from Ryanair.

This landmark decision marks a significant advancement in safeguarding consumers from OTA overcharges, ensuring Ryanair's commitment to providing the lowest possible fares, superior customer service, and real-time communication remains unhampered. Following the ruling, Ryanair has successfully negotiated consumer-friendly agreements with OTAs like Love Holidays and Kiwi. These partnerships are designed to promote transparency and prevent the hidden mark-ups that have plagued consumers, emphasizing the airline's pro-consumer ethos.

Dara Brady, speaking for Ryanair, hailed the Milan Court's decisions as a testament to the airline's consumer-centric distribution model. He highlighted the longstanding issues with OTAs that exploit unauthorized methods to book flights on Ryanair's website, often resulting in customer inconvenience and additional costs. The court's judgment reinforces Ryanair's commitment to fighting for consumer justice, ensuring direct access to the most affordable fares, efficient booking management, and timely flight information.

Ryanair urges customers to book directly through their official channels—ryanair.com or the mobile app—to avoid OTA mark-ups and enjoy the benefits of direct communication and service. This ruling not only vindicates Ryanair's model but sets a precedent for the airline industry, ensuring that consumer interests remain at the forefront of airline distribution strategies.