| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 02/10/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 1 |
| Copyright: Other |
Ryanair looks at plan to pay commission on Web bookings
RYANAIR is considering paying travel agents commission when they make bookings over the Internet.
The low-cost carrier wants to develop a link for agents to its Web site www.ryanair.com and is thinking about offering commission as an incentive to get them to use it.
Ryanair sales and marketing director Tim Jeans said:”In order for the Internet to be attractive to agents, therewill have to be some sort of commission in place.
“The commission we offer through global distribution systems is 5% and we have no plans to alter that, but I don’t want to predict it will be 5% on Internet sales.”
Travel agents wishing to sell Ryanair tickets were forced to make bookings through GDS suppliers Sabre, Worldspan and Amadeus when Ryanair cut its ties with Galileo on July 31.
It is believed the airline has suffered since it took its itineraries off Galileo, claiming fees charged by the GDSwere too high (Travel Weekly July 24).
Ryanair is currently in discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority about whether agents have to own an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence to buy Ryanair fares from the Internet.
Jeans: the offer of commission will make booking over the Internet attractive to agents