Ryanair has agreed to accept payment by American Express cards as part of a drive to attract more business travellers.
The move follows news of an upcoming refresh of the budget carrier’s website and the removal of a fee to download the Ryanair app from October 1.
Deputy chief executive Howard Millar said: “Now even more passengers, including business travellers, travel agents and corporate travel departments, can book the lowest fares on the Ryanair.com website by using an American Express card.
“We estimate that 20% to 25% of our passengers are travelling on business, with online check-in ensuring they avoid airport queues, while the option of priority boarding and reserved seating has proven extremely popular not only with business passengers, who can board and exit the aircraft first, or choose one of 45 pre-reserved seats, but also with families and those travelling in groups.”
He added: “For example, we currently operate approximately 32 daily flights between Dublin and London, the busiest international route in Europe and with more than 20% of business passengers on these flights, we expect that percentage to grow as we roll out a range of business-tailored services, including the option now of booking Ryanair flights with American Express.”
Amex senior vice president & general manger merchant services Europe Werner Decker said: “Many of our cardmembers are regular travellers – whether for leisure or business – and I am pleased that they now have the option to book with their American Express card on the Ryanair website.”