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Online frenzy as Ryanair launches free flights RYANAIR
has launched what it claims to be the world’s first-ever free seat
sale, causing a frenzy in doing so.
The company is givingaway 1million free seats on routes across Europe.
And in an unprecedented move, the airline pays the taxes, fees and all
of the charges leaving the customer paying little to nothing.
But the no-frills carrier’s website was unable to cope with the
demand and collapsed several times throughout the day.
It received more than 4million hits within the first five hours and the
rush of passengers caused technical difficulties on the website for a
while.
The airline said it had enjoyed its busiest day ever.
Deputy CEO Michael Cawley said: “While some airlines just talk
low-fare, only Ryanair delivers by guaranteeing the lowest fares. We are
declaring war on high fares by releasing 1million free seats no taxes,
no fees and no charges across Europe. 150,000 of these seats will be available
on our Irish routes.”
The offer is expected to cost the airline millions of pounds as it shoulders
the cost of taxes, charges and credit card booking fees.
The Irish airline had previously advertised free seats but these did not
include such add-on costs.
The airline makes money instead from in-flight sales such as food and
drink, duty free goods and scratchcards.
One Irish Post reader who took up the offer said: “I really couldn’t
believe it was for real. Ryanair have been known in the past to take part
in misleading advertising where you thought you were getting more than
you actually were. But this really is the real deal. I reckon it will
mean big trouble for other airlines. More than ever it seems Ryanair means
business.”
The free seat sale was on for five days for travel between Saturday,
June 2 to Saturday, October 27 Monday to Thursday only.
Travel from July 16 to August 31 was excluded from the offer.
Passengers were charged 1p for the flights due to technical reasons, which
will be refunded at check-in.
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