Stampa

Investigation launched into the helicopter emergency medical services and wildfire suppression services due to an alleged anti-competition agreement


PRESS RELEASE


The Italian Competition Authority (ICA) has launched an investigation into Babcock Mission Critical Services Italia S.p.A. (formerly Inaer Aviation Italia S.p.A.), Airgreen S.r.l., Elifriulia S.r.l., Heliwest S.r.l., Eliossola S.r.l., Elitellina S.r.l., Star Work Sky S.a.s. di Giovanni Subrero & C. and Associazione Elicotteristica Italiana (AEI), to ascertain whether these companies, even though trade association, have established an agreement, in infringement of Art. 101 of the TFEU, in order to influence the public procurement procedures for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) and wildfire suppression services in an anti-competitive manner.
In particular, the analysis of several tendering procedures in the sector shows a recurring pattern in the participation of such companies, which is characterised by the non overlapping of their offers and by the formulation of particularly small reductions in contract price, sometimes close to zero. The alleged, anti-competitive conduct described seems to have also been realised through the distorted use of the temporary joint ventures, employed by the parties with the main purpose of sharing the job orders amongst themselves, defusing the competitive mechanism typical of a public tender.
In the past few days, officers from the ICA have carried out inspections at the headquarters of the companies concerned, with the help of the Special Antitrust Unit of Guardia di Finanza. The procedure will be completed on 31 October 2018.

Rome, 21 March 2017