AGCM

On 13 February 2019, the Italian Competition Authority concluded proceeding I806 establishing the existence of two separate anticompetitive agreements, in breach of Art. 101 TFEU. Under the first agreement, the main market players influenced tenders for helicopter forest fire-fighting services (AIB). Under the second agreement, helicopter services companies entered into price-fixing agreement within the Italian Helicopter Association (AEI).

As regards the first anticompetitive agreement, the ICA accused the main market players - Airgreen S.r.l., Elifriulia S.r.l., Eliossola S.r.l., Elitellina S.r.l., Heliwest S.r.l. and Star Work Sky S.a.s- of bid-rigging, with the aim of sharing the market for helicopter forest fire-fighting services in tenders awarded in the national territory between 2005 and 2018. The cartel restricted competition between the Parties, by preventing them from offering any significant rebates - in many cases, these were less than 1% - which led to the tendering authorities/public procurement bodies paying high prices.

As to the second anticompetitive agreement, the ICA found that members of the Italian Helicopter Association discussed and agreed, at meetings of the Association, on a price list for aerial work services and passenger transport, divided by type of helicopter. The prices were set in advance of the time period they referred to. In particular, the price list aimed to influence public procurement bodies with regard to the setting of prices for helicopter services in their invitations to tender, as well as to provide price indications to commercial customers. The cartel started in 2001 and lasted until August 2017; AEI - Italian Helicopter Association and its associated companies Airgreen S.r.l., Babcock Mission Critical Services Italia S.p.A. - jointly with its parent company Babcock Mission Critical Services International S.A.- , Elifriulia S.r.l., Eliossola S.r.l., Elitellina S.r.l., Heliwest S.r.l., Star Work Sky S.a.s. and Air Corporate S.r.l., jointly with its parent company Airi S.r.l., all took part in the cartel.

ICA fined the Parties for a total amount of over 67,000,000 Euros for the two infringements.

Rome, 26 February 2019