Travelport announces Ryanair partnership

Ryanair is to sell through a Global Distribution System (GDS) for the first time in more than a decade.

Ryanair is to sell through a Global Distribution System (GDS) for the first time in more than a decade.

The no-frills airline is making its content available through Travelport, with fares and ancillary product to be introduced in phases from March 19.

Ryanairrevealed in February that it was in talks with a GDS about a possible deal. The move is one of a series of measures by the airline to attract business travellers.

Kenny Jacobs, Ryanair chief marketing officer, said:  “This partnership with Travelport is a significant development for Ryanair and for businesses across Europe and beyond as we continue to evolve our business offering.

“More than 22% of these customers already choose Ryanair for business travel and we expect that percentage to grow as this partnership allows corporate travel departments, travel management companies and businesses even greater access to Ryanair’s low fares and routes.”

Simon Ferguson, Travelport regional director, UK & Ireland, said: “This is a hugely important partnership for travel agencies in the UK & Ireland, and we are delighted to be providing them with fares and ancillaries from one of the highest profile low cost carriers in the world and a very important one in this region.

“Ryanair has fully embraced what we can uniquely offer through our industry-leading technology and we look forward to working exclusively with the Ryanair team over the coming months to help them reach new travellers whilst providing more in-demand, low cost air content to our UK travel agency and tour operator customers.”