Ryanair’s appeal was rejected as its sought leave to sue the Italian competition authority over a search conducted at its Dublin headquarters.
The search took place in March 2024 as part of a broader investigation by the Italian Autorità Garante Della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM).
Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission conducted an investigation at the request of Italy’s AGCM due to complaints from travel agency associations regarding ticket selling restrictions by Ryanair.
Following the search of Ryanair’s operations, the airline initiated a lawsuit against both antitrust agencies, challenging the validity of the search warrants.
Ryanair’s defense contended that the High Court judge did not properly distinguish between actions related to state authority and those arising from state authority’s exercise of powers.
An Irish appellate court ruled that the fundamental question was whether Irish courts had jurisdiction under EU regulations relating to the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters to hear and determine Ryanair’s claims. The court decided that the Irish courts did.
The High Court had previously dismissed Ryanair’s case in June 2024, citing lack of jurisdiction for Irish courts.
Ryanair’s ongoing legal challenges reflect the complexities of international aviation regulations and the oversight authorities.
