Aviation

Italy backtracks on airfare cap dubbed ‘illegal’ by Ryanair

Rome to alter a recent decree on pricing, put in place to counter soaring fares on routes to Sardinia and Sicily, following backlash from airlines

Michael O’Leary, Ryanair chief executive: Carrier has filed a complaint on the measure with the European Union. Picture: Corbis/Getty Images

Italy is backtracking on a controversial price cap on airfares that sparked an angry reaction across the aviation industry, as the government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hands oversight powers to the country’s competition regulator.

Rome is readying changes to its recent decree on pricing, put in place during the summer in reaction to soaring fares on domestic routes to Sardinia and Sicily, the country’s two biggest islands, according to a draft of the ...