Ryanair sees Italian growth despite regulatory squalls

Ryanair said on Wednesday it expected to expand its leading position in the Italian market in the coming years despite regulatory disputes over the past few months. The Irish budget carrier would be interested in slots that could become available at Rome's Fiumicino airport as the result of a planned combination between Lufthansa and ITA Airways, CE Michael O'Leary said. Speaking at a news conference in Rome, O'Leary said Ryanair's clash this week with Italy's antitrust regulator (AGCM) stemmed from a dispute it had with companies including Spanish online travel agency eDreams. The AGCM has ordered Ryanair to stop limiting or blocking the sale of its flight tickets by travel agencies. "We think the case has no merit whatsoever," O'Leary said, having arrived carrying a placard reading: "Stop OTA (Online Travel Agency) Pirates, Protect Passengers." A Ryanair representative will meet the AGCM in Rome on Thursday. Ryanair said it would appeal any definitive AGCM ruling against it to an Italian regional court where it is confident of winning its case. The company also plans to lodge a counter-complaint with the AGCM about eDreams' Prime membership service, which O'Leary said charged passengers an annual 55 euros ($58.5) for discounts that did not exist.<br/>