The Barcelona Commercial Court No. 12 has found Ryanair D.A.C. guilty of unfair competition and defamation against eDreams ODIGEO [eDO], a decision adding to the airline’s documented history of similar illegal conduct, eDreams announced in a statement today.
The case pertains to a campaign launched by Ryanair against online travel agencies, including eDreams, accusing them of overpricing and labeling them as “pirates,” “scammers,” and “deceivers.”
Additionally, Ryanair initiated a campaign against eDreams’ Prime service in April 2024, labeling it “illegal” and stating, in the airline’s view, that it “should be banned,” and using the aforementioned terms to describe the travel company.
The campaign against eDreams was conducted through the airline’s corporate website, media interviews, and postings on its social media profiles.
“The court’s ruling conclusively establishes that Ryanair’s allegations aimed at disparaging eDO and its Prime subscription program, part of an aggressive and ongoing campaign initiated by the airline in 2023, are false,” highlighted the travel agency’s statement.
The ruling, which is subject to appeal, requires the airline to publish on its corporate website and social media that it has been convicted for these actions and to publicly retract the statements made against the online travel agency.
According to agency Efe, eDreams also sought financial compensation of approximately 1.6 million euros, which the judge rejected, noting that while the damages were proven, they were not “adequately quantified.”
eDreams described the decision as a new “legal victory,” following a prior Supreme Court ruling that had already forced Ryanair to cease its “degrading and anticompetitive” behavior against the digital travel agency.
