Dear flights, EU investigation: «The companies must provide explanations»
European Commission spotlight on the constant increase in ticket prices for connections between Sardinia and Sicily
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The EU has shined a light on the increases in airline tickets to Sardinia and Sicily: tickets more expensive by up to 30% in four years and exceptional profits on which the companies are asked to provide evaluation elements. Now the European Commission wants to see clearly, without going so far as to intervene on a "functioning" market, but asking for "a detailed and complete explanation" from the carriers. For fear that the upward trend in tariffs could affect peripheral regions, such as islands, which live off air transport to continue to be connected with the rest of the continent.
A pressure exerted by an investigation by the services of the responsible commissioner , Adina Valean, which - after the harsh confrontation in August on the tightening of airfares of the Asset decree - finds favor with Rome and with consumers represented by Codacons and Assoutenti. And it comes while in Italy the prices to reach Sicily and Sardinia are skyrocketing in view of Christmas.
The Brussels spotlight is on the long-term anomalies of the market after the Covid restrictions: there still seems to be a lack of a defined cause other than the travel boom and problems in supply chains triggered by the geopolitical context.
This is why the Valean team is "in permanent dialogue" with a cash-generating industry. In the case of Ryanair - among the most aggressive against the Italian price cap -, the 2022/2023 financial year allowed it to regain profit, closing with a positive net result of 1.31 billion, against the previous loss of 241 million. However, there will be no intervention on the free market on the part of the EU, also because the executive cannot act "as a regulator in the micromanagement of prices or impose it", a scenario that Valean itself considers in fact "not feasible" and not even "desirable". ».
However, pricing practices must be, in accordance with the key community principles, accessible and aimed at not hindering connectivity. A line which, applauded by the Minister for Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, "moves on the route indicated by Italy". Starting from which Rome and Brussels can move forward "together, for a better service, in transparency and in compliance with the rules"
It is consumers who hope that the EU verification will lead to incisive action, with Codacons calling for " a common intervention at European level to block algorithms" and Assoutenti calling for "exemplary sanctions against incorrect companies".
(Unioneonline)
