Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson on Wednesday
called for the measure the Italian government presented this
week to combat high flight prices to be scrapped.
"It's ridiculous, illegal and interferes with the free market,
according to European law," Wilson told ANSA.
"It must be cancelled.
"If it isn't, there will be an impact on Ryanair's ability to
operate in Italy".
A decree approved by the cabinet on Monday clamps down on the
use of algorithms to set flight prices.
The government blamed the algorithms for soaring prices in
recent months, especially for services connecting the mainland
to Sicily and Sardinia
The decree bans the algorithms if applied to connections to
Sicily and Sardinia; if applied to peaks in demand linked to
seasonal factors; and if they lead to the price of tickets or
accessory services being 200% higher than the average price.
Wilson added that Sicily Governor Renato Schifani's assertion
that Ryanair was involved in a price cartel was "nothing but
rubbish.
"Ryanair has reached over 185 million passengers because we
lowered prices and give them value," he said.
"We don't need to talk to incompetent companies".
Wilson had a meeting with Business and Made in Italy Minister
Adolfo Urso earlier on Wednesday.
"The Ryanair CEO presented the important development plans (the
company) has for the country and the problems it faces," Urso
said.
"I am willing to meet other companies to see whether the measure
can be improved during its conversion into law in parliament".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
