OH DEAR! Noel Josephides has clearly not been reading the financial press recently. Ryanair is one of Europe’s strongest and most well-financed airlines, capitalised at more than $1bn, and returning profits of £IR45.8m last year – compare that with British Airways, SAS, KLM et al.
We are not having a seat sale to increase brand loyalty, nor do we feel we will lose our dignity or professionalism by selling seats at a price that excites the market to travel more. The sale will put more bums on seats and put us ahead of our competitors.
Ryanair and the other low-cost carriers are building new markets, not cannibalising or ‘crashing’ existing ones. Ryanair will do so carefully and profitably, and Noel Josephides need have no fear for our future.
Tim Jeans, Sales and marketing director, Ryanair, Stansted, Essex