Court upholds EasyJet Rome-Milan decision
Ryanair appeal rejected
22 February, 14:21
(ANSA) - Rome, November 22 - An Italian court on Friday
upheld an October decision by the Italian competition authority
AGCM to award low-cost carrier EasyJet the rights to fly on the
key route between Rome and Milan, breaking an Alitalia monopoly.The Lazio regional tribunal turned down an appeal by Ryanair against the October 25 ruling.
EasyJet has hailed the decision as a ''milestone'' for the free market.
Until now Italy's flagship carrier Alitalia has had the monopoly on services between the country's political capital and its financial and economic centre.
The decision to award the low-cost carrier rights on the Rome-Milan route came after ACGM found there to be ''a lack of proper competition between rail and air transport'' and that Alitalia was running a monopoly.
The authority ordered the Italian flag carrier to give up seven of its slots.
EasyJet has said it will operate five services a day between the two airports from early 2013.
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