The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) has proposed that the Market Court impose a penalty payment of approximately €7.6 million on Finnair Plc for a procedural infringement of competition law. This action follows Finnair's provision of materially incorrect, incomplete, and misleading information in response to three requests for information made by the authority under the Finnish Competition Act.

Both the Swedish and Finnish competition authorities have been investigating Finnair for suspected anti-competitive practices, particularly regarding the company's alleged obstruction of online travel agents' ability to advertise discounts for Finnair tickets. In 2023, Finnair made commitments accepted by the Swedish Competition Authority, which prevent the airline from restricting how online travel agencies advertise ticket prices for flights originating or ending in Sweden.

In the fall of 2023, the FCCA initiated an investigation into Finnair's ticket sales practices for flights in Finland, which included requests for information. However, Finnair provided incorrect and misleading information in four responses to these requests.

In spring 2024, the FCCA conducted an unannounced inspection at Finnair's premises to gather accurate information regarding the suspected anti-competitive practices. The evidence collected during this inspection has led the FCCA to assess that Finnair's infringement is extensive and serious.

This proposed penalty payment marks the first time the FCCA has suggested a penalty for providing incorrect information since it gained the authority to propose such payments in 2021. The proposed penalty corresponds to 0.25 percent of Finnair's total worldwide turnover for 2024. The Market Court will ultimately decide on the imposition of this penalty.

The investigation into Finnair's suspected competition restriction is ongoing, and the FCCA has stated it will not comment further on the matter at this time.