The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has imposed a €256 million ($302 million) fine on Ryanair, accusing the carrier of abusing its dominant market position to stifle travel agencies. Ryanair immediately responded that it would appeal the decision, calling the ruling "legally flawed" and "unsound." Following a multi-year investigation, the AGCM ruled that the low-cost carrier leveraged its 38-40% share of the Italian air travel market to implement an "elaborate strategy" aimed at hindering online travel agencies (OTAs) and traditional travel agents. "In particular, the company’s strategy blocked, hindered or made such purchases more difficult and/or economically or technically burdensome when combined with flights operated by other carriers and/or other tourism and insurance services," says the AGCM. According to the regulator, between April 2023 and April 2025, Ryanair created technical and economic barriers, such as mandatory facial recognition and blocking payment methods, to make it difficult for third parties to sell its flights. The AGCM claims this "abusive conduct" restricted consumer choice and allowed Ryanair to dominate the sale of tourism extras like hotels and insurance. Ryanair Group chief executive Michael O’Leary describes the fine as "absurd" and accused the AGCM of "gerrymandering" market data to invent a dominant position. The airline argues the AGCM is ignoring a January 2024 Milan Court of Appeal ruling which declared that Ryanair’s direct-to-consumer model is "economically justified" and "undoubtedly benefits consumers" by keeping fares low. It also believes that its true market share is closer to 30% and accused the regulator of excluding long-haul flights, trains, and buses from its analysis to artificially inflate Ryanair's influence. It maintains that its actions are necessary to protect passengers from "pirate OTAs" that overcharge for flights and baggage. "When Ryanair first started in 1985, 20% of ticket revenues were wasted on travel agent commissions," comments O’Leary. "We have passed those savings on to consumers." The airline highlights that it has already signed "Approved OTA" agreements with major partners like TUI and Kiwi, proving its model is pro-competition as long as agencies agree not to "scam" customers with hidden markups. "Today’s Ruling validates Ryanair’s current distribution agreements, which guarantee price transparency for consumers, and safeguards the continuing availability of the lowest promotional fares on ryanair.com," asserts the airline. "The AGCM’s baseless efforts to redefine a period of time after the Milan court ruling, and to wrongly claim that Ryanair has a dominant position in air services to/from Italy will be overturned."

Spirit Airlines has reported a $72.7 million operating loss for the month of November, following a loss of $96.3 million in October and a third-quarter loss of $135 million. The US carrier is required to disclose the monthly operating report as part of its Chapter 11 process. Spirit in late August filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in 10 months. The Dania Beach, Florida-based airline in November generated $239 million in operating revenue. Expenses came in at $312 million. Spirit on 15 December disclosed that its senior secured noteholders agreed to amend its debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing, providing it with an additional $100 million in funding, including an immediately useable $50 million. DIP financing of up to $475 million for Spirit was granted court approval in October.

Philippine Airlines has taken delivery of its first of nine Airbus A350-1000s. The 382-seat jet joins two A350-900s already in PAL's fleet. "The arrival of the A350-1000 marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to fleet modernization and network growth," states Lucio Tan, president of the airline's parent company PAL Holdings. "It will be a source of Filipino pride and a transformational step for our airline."