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Budget carriers slated by business agent
A business agent has launched a withering attack on no frills airlines, questioning the suitability of the carriers for corporate travellers.
The Travel Company head of sales Chris Crowley told a debate at the Business Travel Show that using budget airlines is not necessarily cheaper and offers no flexibility.
Yet the comments followed a previous seminar at the show where FCm Travel Solutions said one of its major clients, T-mobile, books between 40% to 50% of its air travel with low cost airlines.
Crowley said: “We always hear they are cheaper but I question that argument. Low fares appear for a nano-second because the inventory may only be two or three seats. And is it cheaper when it takes you two hours to scan the Internet? Are you paid to do that?”
He added that no frills carriers had a “dramatic effect” when they first burst on the market but claimed that effect was now “diminishing” as legacy airlines responded by launching their own low cost version.
“BA is frequently cheaper on many short haul routes,” said Crowley. “Even if you do save £35, once you have been on a four hour coach journey and lost your luggage four times, has it worked out any cheaper?”
He also asked delegates what happens when a low cost carrier “goes tech” at 11.30pm?
“I don’t know and neither does the airline. You get to Stansted at 2.30am, there’s no car to take you home, no secretary to pick up the pieces and no 24-hour call centre.”
Crowley described low fares as “extremely restricted” and offering no flexibility should business plans change – as they frequently do.
“A lot of business travellers change their plans. I do at least twice and if you buy a low cost carrier ticket, then you’re stuffed.”
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