Abstract

In recent years Alitalia has often been subject to antitrust scrutiny by the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato. This article analyses the recent proceeding involving travel agents. The decision has been appealed and judged by the administrative court (TAR Lazio) and then, again, by the AGCM for failure in respecting the authority's decision. It was focused on the arrangements with travel agents and, more precisely, on the (over)commissions paid by Alitalia on the tickets sold by agents. These commissions represented illegal loyalty discounts and gave rise to abusive discrimination between travel agents. The case is discussed by underlining the ongoing deregulation of the airline sector, pointing out the many critical aspects that the Italian national champion has to deal with and, above all, overcome.