Ryanair faces new antitrust probe in Italy

The Italian Competition Authority (ICA) said it suspected the carrier of exploiting its dominant position "to extend its power" in other sectors such as hotels and car rentals, to the detriment of travel agencies.

Ryanair allegedly limits travel agencies' ability to buy its tickets from its website, thus restricting their capacity to offer accommodation and transport services alongside plane tickets, the ICA said.

Italy's antitrust agency said it had opened an investigation into Ryanair "for possible abuse of a dominant (market) position".

Ryanair is Europe's largest airline and a market leader in Italy.