From a business perspective, I get why Ryanair would want more direct control - fewer fees, more customer data, stronger branding. But the moment you start restricting where people can buy your product, you step into antitrust territory and risk killing the very demand you’re trying to secure. Travel is already stressful enough without making it harder to find good deals. For most people, accessibility and transparency matter more than who gets to capture the commission. Punishing intermediaries almost always ends up punishing the customer instead.

So from a fairness and consumer standpoint, this fine seems justified. And as a frequent traveler, I just want all the options, not gatekeeping.