Ryanair hub move benefits Hotels.com

Ryanair’s decision to create a new hub in Dublin has had an immediate impact on Irish travel websites providing accommodation in the country and elsewhere in Europe. The low-cost carrier announced last month that it would add 18 new destinations from the Irish capital and also increase the frequency of an existing seven routes. Accommodation…

Ryanair’s decision to create a new hub in Dublin has had an immediate impact on Irish travel websites providing accommodation in the country and elsewhere in Europe.


The low-cost carrier announced last month that it would add 18 new destinations from the Irish capital and also increase the frequency of an existing seven routes.


Accommodation booking engine Hotels.com said its website in Ireland had seen record levels of traffic following the announcement, as more passengers start to use Dublin as a connecting point to other places.


Hotels.com of Alison Couper said: “January 3 was the best-ever day for bookings from Ireland, with key cities such as New York, Paris and Rome featuring heavily.”


Ryanair’s move came as rival carrier EasyJet revealed orders for  20 new aircraft. Couper added: “EasyJet’s expansion – and the growth of the budget airline market – is good news for online travel because it contributes to the growth in the number of affordable destinations.”