The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into budget airline Ryanair over charges the company imposes on parents who want to sit next to their children during flights.

The regulator is examining whether the seating fees constitute unfair practices under consumer protection laws. The investigation focuses on whether Ryanair may be charging parents additional costs for the airline to meet what the CMA considers basic child safety and disability-related obligations.

Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost carrier, operates a business model that charges separately for many services beyond basic flight transportation, including seat selection. The airline's seating policy has drawn scrutiny from regulators who question whether certain charges should be considered mandatory rather than optional.

The CMA's investigation will determine whether these practices breach consumer protection regulations that prohibit unfair commercial practices. The authority has not specified the potential penalties or remedies that could result from the investigation.

This marks the latest regulatory challenge facing budget airlines over their fee structures and passenger service policies. The outcome could potentially affect how low-cost carriers across the industry structure their pricing for family seating arrangements.