Competition Law: Online Travel Agents and Airlines Introduction; The Business Model; The Ryanair Proceedings in the Republic of Ireland; The On the Beach Proceedings in England; The Competition Claim; The Defence; EU Competition Law; Article 101 TFEU; Article 102 TFEU; Comment Introduction In 1841 Thomas Cook, an English Baptist preacher, struck a deal with the Midland Railway to organise the transportation of members of his temperance society, receiving a commission from the railway, and efectively becoming the world’s frst recorded travel agent. The industry has never looked back. In 1903 the American Wright brothers completed the frst controlled powered fight, and the Age of Aviation began. The 1920s saw rapid growth in the aviation industry and the founding of numerous airlines still operational today. The introduction of modern long-range commercial aircraft in the 1950s fuelled a desire for foreign travel which remains as strong today as it was then; and which, thanks to reductions in cost, is now much more accessible. Every year the UK government conducts a Travel Trends survey, which aims to identify British travel habits; in 2019 : 1 • Overseas residents made 40.9 million visits to the UK, an increase of 0.6 million compared with 2018. • Overseas residents spent £28.4 billion on visits to the UK, an increase of 7% compared with 2018. Travel trends - Ofce for Natonal Statstcs (ons.gov.uk) 1
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