Spanish Court Rules in Favor of Ryanair in Dispute with OTA Kiwi
Ryanair has secured a victory in a Spanish commercial court, which rejected an injunction sought by online travel agency (OTA) Kiwi. The court ruled against suspending Ryanair’s verification procedures for passengers booked through OTAs, stating that Ryanair does not have a commercial relationship with Kiwi.
While Ryanair welcomed the decision, Kiwi emphasized that the court did not assess the validity of the verification process but only considered the request for an urgent suspension. Kiwi continues to challenge Ryanair’s verification process for indirect customers, highlighting concerns about the collection of personal information and additional fees charged at the airport.
The case is part of Ryanair’s broader efforts to combat what it alleges are deceptive practices by OTAs, including false advertising of lower fares and withholding booking details from passengers. The airline has been urging consumers to book directly to avoid inaccuracies and additional fees associated with third-party platforms.