Ryanair: consumer protection enforcement case
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating suspected infringements of consumer law in relation to Ryanair’s use of a potentially unfair mandatory fee, and the presentation of that fee on its UK website.
Case timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| June 2026 to December 2026 | Initial investigation: information and evidence gathering (next case update December 2026) |
| 10 June 2026 | Investigation opened |
Judicial review proceedings in the High Court
30 September 2026: On 5 August 2026, Ryanair issued proceedings in the Administrative Court seeking permission to judicially review the legality of information notices sent by the CMA to Ryanair. These proceedings remain ongoing.
On 6 August 2026, Ryanair applied to the Administrative Court for interim relief from their obligation to comply with certain parts of the information notices, and to prevent the CMA from taking enforcement action (such as issuing a fixed and/or daily fines) for non-compliance with those obligations, while judicial review proceedings were ongoing.
On 10 August 2026, the Administrative Court issued an Order refusing the application for interim relief for the reasons set out in the Order.
We have published a copy of the Order made on 10 August 2026:
- (30.9.26)
The Court has listed a ‘rolled up’ hearing for 24 to 26 November 2026. At the hearing, it will decide whether Ryanair should be given permission to proceed with its judicial review claim and, if permission is granted, the Court will determine the substantive judicial review claim.
Decision by CMA Procedural Complaints Adjudicator
30 September 2026: On 6 August 2026, Ryanair made a complaint to a CMA Procedural Complaints Adjudicator (PCA) in respect of the CMA’s refusal to pause the deadline for complying with the CMA’s information notices.
On 30 September 2026, the PCA published a decision concluding that Ryanair’s complaint fell outside of the PCA’s remit.
The decision observed that:
- Ryanair had not followed the CMA procedural complaints process because it had not first raised its concerns with the Senior Responsible Officer
- Ryanair’s procedural complaint did not relate to its ability to comply by the deadline but rather the legality of the notices, which is not part of the PCA complaints framework to determine
- Ryanair used the PCA complaints framework while simultaneously pursuing court proceedings on the same issue, relying upon the same facts. The PCA concluded it was not appropriate to consider a complaint that is already the subject of litigation and judicial consideration
Case opening
10 June 2026: The CMA has opened an investigation into compliance with consumer protection law by Ryanair UK Limited and Ryanair DAC.
The CMA is investigating Ryanair’s use of and reliance on a potentially unfair contract term requiring consumers travelling with a child to pay a mandatory fee to sit next to that child. The CMA is also examining the presentation of that fee on Ryanair’s website and specifically whether the fee is included in the total price the consumer sees at the beginning of the purchase process.
The CMA will now engage with Ryanair and gather evidence to consider whether the CMA thinks any of the companies in the group have infringed consumer protection law.
At this initial stage, it should not be assumed that Ryanair has infringed consumer protection law and no finding has been made.
- Press release: CMA investigates Ryanair over charging parents to sit with children (11.6.26)
Contact
- general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk
- Andrew Groves, Director
- Hayley Fletcher, Senior Responsible Officer
Personal information
Your name and contact details are your personal data. The CMA may collect, use and share personal data when carrying out its statutory functions to investigate and take action under the consumer protection legislation which the CMA enforces (including the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024). This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.
For more information about how the CMA handles personal information, please read our personal information charter.