The Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) has fined four travel agencies a total of €2.91 million for engaging in anti-competitive practices related to contracts from the Bank of Spain and the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM).

The agencies involved are Nautalia Viajes, Viajes El Corte Inglés, Ávoris Retail División, and Integración de Agencias de Viajes (IAG7). The CNMC found that these companies colluded to not submit bids for a contract from the Bank of Spain, allowing it to be re-tendered under more favorable conditions. Additionally, they agreed to rotate assignments for travel services requested by UCM, resulting in reduced competition.

The CNMC initiated the investigation in December 2023, following inspections of the companies' offices. The collusion occurred between October 2021 and October 2022, violating both Spanish and EU competition laws.

As a result of their actions, the CNMC has prohibited IAG7 from contracting with public administration for three months, while Nautalia, VECI, and Ávoris Retail face a six-month ban. This marks the fourth resolution where the CNMC has specified the duration of such prohibitions based on competition law violations.

The companies have the right to appeal this decision in the administrative court within two months of notification.