Competition fines agency management groups for price fixing

The National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) has finally decided to impose fines of up to 87,000 euros on several travel agency management groups for allegedly agreeing on prices.

The file, which has lasted for three years, distributes sanctions, depending on their turnover, to almost all the management groups operating in Spain, starting with GEA, whose fine amounts to more than 87,000 euros.

They are followed Airmet, with 78,106 euros; the Europa Viajes Group, with 31,837; the Star Group, with 29.854; Cybas, with 20,567; Edenia, with 6,418; Over, with 5,927; and Avantours, with 4,307 euros. The CNMC conductedó an inspection of the offices of these groups on September 26, 2012.

The sanctioning file opened in February 2013 spoke of rational indications of a “infracción ún ún ún ón ún ón ón comprising various agreements for the fixing of prices, commercial conditions, market sharing and the limitation of the retail distribution of travel and tourist packages ísticos”.

These practices are considered a very serious infringement, with fines of up to 10% of the total turnover of the offending entities in the year immediately preceding the imposition of the fine.

The resolution of the case is a response to the appeal filed by the affected parties against the CNMC's resolution. The management groups still have a margin to appeal.