Ryanair is seeking a recruit from the travel trade to be head of corporate travel and groups to replace Lesley Kane, who will leave in September.
Kane has been a key figure in Ryanair’s move from selling solely direct to working with GDSs, travel management companies (TMCs) and tour operators selling group trips. She announced her departure last week, having worked at Ryanair for 18 years but in the current role only since January.
Her replacement will be responsible for managing and developing Ryanair’s relations with GDSs and working with TMCs.
Ryanair joined Travelport systems Galileo and Worldspan in April and is set to announce a deal with another GDS next month.
The carrier was poised to unveil a new corporate travel product as Travel Weekly went to press. This will include flexible fares, premium seating and fast‑track airport access.
Following a story on Travel Weekly’s daily Business:am alert last week, Kane described the level of interest in her role as “phenomenal”.
She told Travel Weekly: “It’s amazing the amount of interest your story created.” The carrier is also seeking a new head of sales and marketing.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary was in Cyprus last week to meet government representatives to discuss a possible takeover of Cyprus Airways.
The Irish carrier was among companies to submit expressions of interest in the troubled Cypriot airline last month.
O’Leary confirmed: “We’re engaged in the process and hope something will come of it.”
He said Ryanair proposed Cypriot Airways retain its brand and operate under a separate air operator’s certificate to Ryanair’s.