Italy’s competition authority has fined Ryanair €256 million (£223 million) for abusing its dominant position to limit ticket sales by online travel agents. The watchdog accused Europe’s biggest airline of using an "elaborate strategy" involving technical barriers to stop agents and passengers from buying tickets from third parties. This made it hard for agents like Booking.com and Kayak to sell Ryanair tickets, forcing sales only through Ryanair's website. The fine relates to Ryanair's actions from April 2023 to at least April 2025. The authority said Ryanair blocked online travel agents from selling combined tickets with other airlines and services, reducing competition. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary called the ruling "legally flawed" and promised to appeal immediately. O’Leary had openly targeted so-called “pirate” travel agents, accusing them of scamming customers with extra fees. He accepted lower sales to stop agents from selling Ryanair tickets, even requiring passengers to fill extra security forms. In late 2023, Ryanair flights were removed from many agents’ sites, causing a dip in sales and profits. Still, Ryanair’s market value hit a record €31 billion (£27 billion), making it the world’s second most valuable airline after Delta Air Lines. O’Leary, known for his blunt style, plans to hand over control in the next 5 to 10 years. He will keep shares worth €111 million (£97 million) if he stays until July 2028. He is already a billionaire thanks to his stake. Responding to the fine, O’Leary said, "It is an affront to consumer protection and competition law. The internet and ryanair.com have allowed Ryanair to distribute directly, passing 20% cost savings to customers as the lowest fares in Italy and Europe." He stated Ryanair aims to overturn the "absurd €256m fine" in court. The Italian regulator pointed out Ryanair improperly used facial recognition checks for third-party ticket buyers, blocked booking attempts, canceled agent accounts, and forced strict partnership terms banning combined ticket sales with other carriers. Agencies were only allowed to link to Ryanair’s systems from April 2024. These moves, the authority said, "blocked or made purchases difficult and costly when combined with other airlines or travel services." Ryanair’s actions constitute an abuse of its strong market power, the regulator concluded.