Ryanair prices probe by Italy a 'joke', claims O'Leary

Airline faces several regulatory challenges in Italy, where it has expanded to become the largest carrier.

Michael O'Leary has blamed Italy's populist leadership for the investigation.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary brushed off an investigation by Italy's competition agency into the pricing of the low-cost carrier's flights as a "joke", blaming Italy's populist leadership.

"It's just Italian politics," he told reporters at a news conference held in Portugal's capital Lisbon. "You have a bunch of populists running around in Italy... it's what populist politicians do."