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Ryanair’s GDS move not quite enough to win over agents
Travel management companies are calling on Ryanair to do more to convince them about its commitment to business travellers.
Responding to news that Ryanair plans to distribute through GDSs, the Guild of Travel Management Companies said although it’s a positive move, Ryanair still has more work to do.
"Ryanair’s biggest job is convincing the GTMC’s members that it is more than losses that are forcing it to address the business travel sector," said chief executive Paul Wait.
"We need to see and feel that they want to be a strong partner to the community, are engaged in our needs and understand our concerns.
"Based on the announcements made to date, Ryanair is making headway in the right direction, but we will remain unconvinced until they commit to investing in the products and serviced required by both travel managers and the business travellers themselves."
The GTMC said it welcomed the "small movements" already taken by Ryanair within a short time period, such as new flexible tickets, reserved seating and fast track options.
But Wait added: "There are further key challenges to address such as the destination mix – this needs to improve in order for Ryanair to be a real contender in the business travel market.
"Adding to the reputation challenges that Ryanair already has, the airline does suffer from dismissing the business travel market even when their competitors were beginning to take it seriously and reporting strong revenue returns.
"TMCs reward those airlines that best serve their needs with great loyalty."
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Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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