Ryanair blocks Lastminute.com and warns about 'rip off middlemen'
09.03.07
Ryanair has announced that it is to block lastminute.com and other similar websites from selling its flights, claiming that they are 'ripping off its passengers by selling Ryanair flights at inflated prices'.
A spokesman for the low-cost airline said that Lastminute and other tour operators 'routinely double the price for Ryanair flights while failing to advise passengers of Ryanair's terms and conditions.'
Ryanair's Head of Communications, Peter Sherrard, said: 'Passengers should avoid these tour operator websites, which charge extortionate mark-ups, and mislead passengers.' He added that: 'Ryanair has taken steps to block these tour operator websites because they:
1. Charge extortionate mark ups - adding up to 133% to the price
2. Provide incorrect and misleading terms and conditions
3. Mislead passengers on baggage allowances and dimensions
4. Fail to advise passengers of schedule change information
5. Deny passengers the opportunity to pre-book bags online
6. Do not provide web check in and priority boarding options
The spokesman identifies Global Holidays as adding a 133% profit margin on Ryanair flights, with Flights Direct adding 109% and both ebookers and Lastminute.com adding up to 100%.
Lastminute.com responded to the news by saying: 'Ryanair is fully aware and satisfied with the terms and conditions published on our site'. But Ryanair said in a statement on its website: 'This is false!'
Peter Sherrard added: 'Ryanair has written to the Trading Standards Institute to complain about these practices at lastminute.com and will continue to take steps to block bookings made by online travel agents. It is time to stop people being misled by rip-off middlemen like lastminute.com.'
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