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Technophobes forced to pay more to fly Ryanair COMPUTER-SHY
flyers are being forced to pay extra fees for low-cost flights as Ryanair
bans travel agents from booking flights on their customers’ behalf.
The no-frills airline told The Irish Post this week that they actively
“block travel agents” from selling their flights, preferring
their customers to book through their website instead.
Alternatively, those who have no internet access or computer skills, such
as those elderly Irish emigrants who return home regularly, are expected
to order via their call centre — which is notorious for its lengthy
call queues and additional booking fees.
Additionally, travel agents across the country have now been told that
they cannot book flights for these customers.
Midlands Co-op Travel, which has 100 branches throughout the Midlands,
was blocked by Ryanair just last month — leaving disappointed customers
unable to source Ryanair flights at any of their outlets.
Disgruntled Seán King, of Alvaston in Derby, was turned away last
week at their Ilkeston branch in St. Peter’s Street, Derby.
He said: “I tried to book a Ryanair flight to Shannon airport through
my local travel agent for the Easter weekend.
“But I was told that the airline no longer deals with travel agents,
so I tried a few more and got the same answer.
“I couldn’t believe it, I know technology may be the order
of the day but not everyone has access to the internet.
“Why has Ryanair taken away the choice? It is unacceptable.”
A spokesperson for Midlands Co-op Travel confirmed the unfortunate situation
which sees prospective flyers forced to get to grips with a computer or
pay higher prices for a ‘frills’ airline.
They said: “Ryanair announced last month that we can no longer book
flights with them on our customers’ behalf.
“We know we are not the only travel agent to be affected by this
but without the airline’s co-operation we are simply unable to offer
this service to customers any longer.
“We have contacted Ryanair on numerous occasions to try to resolve
this matter but, as yet, we have not had a response back.”
But the airline stands by its controversial decision claiming the travel
agents are the culprits that cost customers money.
A Ryanair spokesperson said: “We try to block travel agents at all
costs and encourage all of our customers to book online or via our call
centre to take full advantage of the lowest fares available.
“Travel agents are just middle-men who take commission which bumps
up the prices for our passengers — 99 per cent of whom do book online
— so we don’t feel this is causing much of a problem for them.
“Those who have no internet access can book via our call centre.”
The low-budget airline is expected to have lost millions last weekend,
as their entire reservations system, both online and via the phone, was
suspended while being updated to comply with Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
regulations. |
