Ryanair has forged its latest ‘approved OTA’ partnership with China’s largest online travel agency group Trip.com.
The collaboration will allow the group’s multiple global brands to offer Ryanair flights to travellers as part of their dynamic product offerings.
Brands under the Trip.com umbrella include TrainPal, TripBiz, BudgetAir, CheapTickets, Vliegwinkel, Vayama, and Flugladen. It also owns Skyscanner which already displays Ryanair tickets.
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The agreement follows a series of distribution agreements struck by the no-frills carrier with the likes of On the Beach, Tui, Loveholidays, lastminute.com, Kiwi and Etraveli Group.
Like the others, this deal ensures consumers who book Ryanair flights through Trip.com platforms that their correct contact and payment information is provided to Ryanair, guaranteeing access to their myRyanair account and and to receive essential flight information without the need for additional customer verification.
Travellers can expect to start booking Ryanair flights directly through Trip.com “in the coming weeks”.
The deal came as Trip.com Group reported a second quarter net profit of RMB3.9 billion ($535 million) against RMB648 million for the same period in 2023.
Outbound hotel and air reservations recovered to 100% of the pre-Covid level for the same period in 2019, surpassing the industry-wide recovery rate of over 70% in terms of international flight capacity, according to the company.
Total revenue of its international OTA brand increased by around 70% year-on-year.
Executive chairman James Liang said: “The second quarter of 2024 witnessed continued growth driven by strong travel demand, especially for cross-border travel.
“Our strong performance highlights our adaptability in a dynamic market. Looking ahead, we are dedicated to leveraging the potential of AI to revolutionise the travel industry and provide exceptional value to our customers.”
The airline’s chief marketing officer Dara Brady said: “We are pleased to announce our latest ‘Approved OTA’ partnership with Trip.com – one of the largest travel service providers in the world – adding to our growing list of partners.
“Through this new agreement, Trip.com customers will be able to book Ryanair’s low-fare flights with the guarantee of full price transparency and direct access to their booking.”
The online firm’s global flights business vice president Chee Teong Ooi, said: “We are thrilled to enter into this partnership with Ryanair, which not only broadens our range of low-fare flights but also enhances the overall travel experience for our customers.
“By combining Ryanair’s extensive network with Trip.com’s innovative technology, we are well-positioned to offer a seamless, personalised booking experience that meets the diverse needs of today’s travellers.
“This collaboration is a significant step in our mission to provide exceptional value and convenience to travellers around the world.”