Ryanair was fined €256 million by Italy's competition authority for abusing its dominant market position by implementing strategies to hinder online travel agencies from selling its tickets, aiming to force sales through its own website, which the airline plans to appeal. The authority accused Ryanair of creating technical obstacles and restricting competition, while the airline argued that its direct sales model benefits consumers with lower fares. Despite the fine, Ryanair remains highly valuable and is planning a leadership transition.
American Airlines will no longer allow travelers to earn Loyalty Points or Aadvantage Miles through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs), pushing customers to book directly with the carrier. This move aims to increase opportunities for upselling and reduce costs associated with third-party sellers. However, OTAs could respond by simply highlighting that miles won't be earned for American Airlines fares and recommending other carriers, potentially impacting American's revenue and loyalty program engagement.
"Travel Tuesday" is the day after Cyber Monday when travelers can find offers on flights, hotels, and travel-related gear. To score the best deals, experts recommend starting to shop early and signing up for emails from favorite travel providers. Online travel agencies tend to offer the most enticing discounts, while airlines may advertise discounted flights but not necessarily the best deals. Being flexible with travel dates and destinations is key, and reading the fine print is important to understand any restrictions or limitations.
The European Commission has blocked US travel giant Booking from acquiring its Swedish rival eTraveli, citing concerns that the deal would strengthen Booking's dominant position in the online travel agencies market and lead to higher costs for hotels and consumers. The EU vetoed the €1.63 billion deal to protect consumers and ensure competition in the market, as Booking already commands a 60% market share for online travel agencies in Europe. This is the first merger to be blocked by the EU this year.
