It comes after the coalition of some of the UK’s biggest OTAs called on regulators to put an end to Ryanair’s online verification process, which it said targets customers who book their flights via an online travel company.
In response, Ryanair said the policy is designed specifically to ensure it can communicate with passengers directly and not via an OTA, in order to comply with legal obligations and to allow passengers to correct their contact details if needed.
Ryanair accused the OTA group of "unlawfully scraping" for data, which it further claimed the businesses use to "mislead" consumers and "mis-sell" flights with additional mark-ups.
The airline has called on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to take action to prevent the agencies from blocking communications between airlines and passengers.
Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said it is "critical" customers are directly informed of safety, security and flight update information and can always access the lowest air fares and the lowest price ancillary services when they book.
"We are amazed that the UK Consumer Agencies and the UK government have failed to take any action against this rampant ‘internet piracy’, and this overcharging of unsuspecting consumers for air fares or ancillary services.
"These OTAs’ business models can only survive if they manage to overcharge consumers for air fares or ancillary services, which they know are lower-priced on Ryanair’s website."
