https://www.airportwatch.org.uk/?p=17265
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Ryanair in corporate charm offensive to get more business passengers
Ryanair is now accepting payment via American Express in a bid to boost the proportion of business passengers it carries from around 20% currently. The airline said the agreement built on its existing services aimed at corporate travellers, such as online check-in, priority boarding, reserved seating, ability to board and exit the aircraft first, or choose one of 45 pre-reserved seats, a free 10kg cabin bag and free downloads of the Ryanair app. Ryanair says it carried 81m passengers this year – more international passengers than any other airline in the world. EasyJet,which has a total of around 50million passengers per year, has also been getting as many business passengers as possible. EasyJet had about 10 million business passengers in 2012, around 9 million in 2011, and some 8 million in 2010. (Not all to or from the UK). EasyJet has stepped up its efforts in the last year by signing a series of deals with travel management companies and corporates around the UK and Europe.
Ryanair in corporate charm offensive
Ryanair is now accepting payment via American Express in a bid to boost the proportion of business passengers it carries from around 20% currently.
The airline said the agreement built on its existing services aimed at corporate travellers, such as online check-in, priority boarding, reserved seating, a free 10kg cabin bag and free downloads of the Ryanair app.
Deputy chief executive, Howard Millar, added: ‘Ryanair offers the lowest airfares with no fuel surcharges guaranteed, and the best customer service, with the most on-time flights, the fewest cancellations and the least lost bags, which is why we will carry 81m passengers this year – more international passengers than any other airline in the world.
‘Now even more passengers including business travellers, travel agents and corporate travel departments, can book the lowest fares on the Ryanair.com website by using an American Express card.
‘We estimate that 20% to 25% of our passengers are travelling on business, with online check-in ensuring they avoid airport queues, while the option of priority boarding and reserved seating has proven extremely popular not only with business passengers, who can board and exit the aircraft first, or choose one of 45 pre-reserved seats, but also with families and those travelling in groups.
‘Indeed, a recent survey of Ryanair passengers in Spain, where Ryanair is the largest carrier, highlighted that 22% of our passengers were travelling on business.
‘It’s a similar trend across Europe; for example we currently operate approximately 32 daily flights between Dublin and London, the busiest international route in Europe and with more than 20% of business passengers on these flights, we expect that percentage to grow as we roll out a range of business-tailored services, including the option now of booking Ryanair flights with American Express.
‘When it comes to the lowest fares, the most on-time flights and the best range of services, Ryanair is the business.’
American Express senior vice president and general manger, merchant services Europe, Werner Decker, commented: ‘Many of our cardmembers are regular travellers – whether for leisure or business – and I am pleased that they now have the option to book with their American Express card on the Ryanair website.
‘With millions of American Express cardmembers worldwide, we are delighted that Ryanair is welcoming our cards.’
Ryanair’s standard credit card booking fee of 2% of the transaction value will apply to all reservations made via Amex cards.
Click here for more details of the new deal from the airline and here for a table of its fees and charges.
http://www.e-tid.com/ryanair-in-corporate-charm-offensive/86799/
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