AGI – The Competition and Market Authority imposed a fine of 4.2 million euros to Ryanair for unfair commercial practices. The company, once the travel restrictions linked to the emergency for Covid 19 no longer exist, he had not repaid consumers the cost of tickets for flights canceled after June 3, 2020.
In recent days the Antitrust for the same reasons had also sanctioned easyJet for 2.8 million euros and Volotea for 1.4 million euros. According to the Authority, the three companies held one grossly misconduct and not complying with the canon of professional diligence when – once the limitations on travel have ended – they have proceeded to numerous cancellations of flights scheduled and offered for sale always using the reason for the health emergency and continuing to issue vouchers without refunding the price paid for canceled tickets.
Also, they are misleading and omissive information has been provided to consumers about their rights and the recognition of the monetary reimbursement has been hindered and delayed, through methods and procedures to induce – and in some cases even force – the consumer to choose and / or accept the voucher instead of the refund.
For some companies they have been ascertain other misconduct such as failure to recognize a refreshment in case of cancellation of the trip for the new pandemic situation or the affixing of obstacles to the use of vouchers already issued: for example, by forcing the use of a paid telephone number to be able to use the vouchers, by not making the monetary refund upon expiry of the same or still not providing the duration of 18 months as established by the emergency regulations.
Finally, regarding Ryanair, it was also considered misleading the advertising campaign disseminated through the main media – again starting in June – and focused on possibility to change the flight for free (through the claim “No penalty for the change” or similar) where, instead, the company applied for the new flight chosen by the consumer rates higher than those that were simultaneously applied on your booking system and in any case provided for the penalty if the flight change took place within 7 days prior to departure.
In addition to the payment of penalties for a total of 8.4 million euros, Ryanair, easyJet and Volotea they will have to present the measures to comply with the Authority’s provision.
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