Ryanair's rivals plan to cash in on website blackout
AER Lingus and Aer Arann are understood to be considering a variety of seat-selling ploys to mark the three-day closure of Ryanair.com in two weeks time.
Ryanair yesterday confirmed the site would be closed between February 23 to 25 to facilitate an "essential systems upgrade".
A spokeswoman refused to give any details of what this upgrade would involve.
Ryanair also dismissed as "rubbish" reports the closure could cost the airline as much as £23.5m. The figures were based on the airline losing 500,000 bookings at an average fare of £47.
"They (the figures) are totally fabricated," the airline said in a statement. "We have already taken significant additional advance bookings -- and will take more after the shutdown -- which will ensure bookings, loads and financial results will be unaffected."
Ryanair's statement also stressed the website's car, hotel and insurance booking facilities would not be affected by the shutdown.
During the website blackout, passengers who opt for online check-in will be allowed to check in at kiosks free of charge, instead of paying the usual £3 (€4) fee.
Minority
"You'd be talking about a tiny minority of people who would pick online check-in for those dates just to avoid paying check-in fees," said a spokeswoman.
She then reiterated that Ryanair would not lose any money at all because of the closure -- a contention dismissed by aviation experts.
"They're closing the shop for three days, how can that not cost them anything," said one.
Both Aer Lingus and Aer Arann are understood to be planning to capitalise on the blackout by launching seat-selling initiatives of their own during the period.
"We haven't decided what we're going to do, but it looks like too good an opportunity for us to miss," said an executive at one of the airlines.
Ryanair's website has had virtually no upgrading since its launch at the turn of the millennium.
- Laura Noonan
