Ryanair Partners With Amadeus for Travel Agency Distribution From 1st November 2014

COLOGNE, Germany, September 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Amadeus' revolutionary light ticketing technology provides foundation for Ryanair to make a wide range of fares and full ancillary service content available to Amadeus subscribers  

No surcharge for fares available to Amadeus subscribers and no fare differential compared to Ryanair's website

Ryanair and Amadeus today announce a breakthrough new agreement that will bring a wide range of the carrier's fares and full ancillary services content to Amadeus subscribers for the first time in over a decade, via Amadeus' innovative light ticketing technology. The airline's ancillary services content will also be made available. The agreement also means that Ryanair's new Business plus fares will be made available to Amadeus subscribers, offering business and corporate travellers a tailored package, including flexible ticket changes, a 20kg baggage allowance, fast-track at airports, priority boarding and premium seating.

Under the terms of the agreement Amadeus subscribers will not be subject to any surcharge when booking Ryanair and the fares displayed via Amadeus will have parity with Ryanair's other distribution channels, including its website.

The agreement marks a significant milestone for Ryanair in its journey to appeal to a wider cross-section of travellers. Michael O'Leary, CEO Ryanair commented: "Ryanair is pleased to partner with Amadeus whose technology represents a significant opportunity for us to reach a wider range of business and corporate customers. With more than 27% of our customers already travelling on business, we are continuing to improve Europe's best business service, with the lowest fares, most on-time flights and our tailored Business Plus service. For business travellers, corporations and TMCs, this agreement will mean greater access to our low fares and Europe's largest route network."

Holger Taubmann, SVP Distribution, Amadeus added: "Ryanair is one of the world's most successful low-fare airlines so we are delighted the airline has seen the value of working with Amadeus to increase its reach, yield and merchandising capabilities. Our technology will enable travel agencies to book Ryanair flights easily and seamlessly. For our subscriber partners, this agreement underlines our commitment to continued innovation in order to offer the widest possible range of airline content."

The use of Amadeus' revolutionary technology, designed specifically for low-fare airlines, provides simplicity for both Ryanair and Amadeus travel agency partners. With a completely ticketless approach for the airline, dynamic fares and ancillary content are provided via an XML link to Amadeus. Amadeus subscribers' experience of booking Ryanair flights and ancillary services will be exactly the same as booking any other airline through the Amadeus system with the complete integration of traditional shopping, booking and back-office processes combined with real-time dynamic fares and services.

Today over 70 low-fare airlines have chosen Amadeus as their distribution partner and low-fare airline bookings via the Amadeus system increased by 21% during 2013. Since its introduction in 2007, Amadeus' XML link has enabled low-fare airlines to benefit from the reach and yield provided by travel agency distribution without the complexity associated with traditional ticketing processes for airlines. Amadeus' Light Ticketing enhancements were first deployed by a low-cost airline in 2013, allowing travel agents to use standard pricing workflows whilst being able to access the airline's content from the standard neutral availability flow, modify PNRs and finalise the booking process with the creation of ticket numbers - just as they do when booking traditional flag carriers.

For more information visit http://www.amadeus.com

Notes to the editors 

Amadeus is a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry. Customer groups include travel providers (e.g. airlines, hotels, rail and ferry operators, etc.), travel sellers (travel agencies and websites), and travel buyers (corporations and travel management companies).

The Amadeus group employs around 10,000 people worldwide, across central sites in Madrid (corporate headquarters), Nice (development) and Erding (operations), as well as 71 local Amadeus Commercial Organisations globally.

The group operates a transaction-based business model. For the year ended December 31, 2013 the company reported revenues of €3,103.7 million and EBITDA of €1,188.7 million.

Amadeus is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange under the symbol "AMS.MC" and is a component of the IBEX 35 index.

To find out more about Amadeus please visit http://www.amadeus.com, and http://www.amadeus.com/blog for more on the travel industry.