December 5, 2024

EasyJet CEO Criticizes Ryanair’s Holiday Plans

Kenton Jarvis, the incoming CEO of EasyJet, has expressed doubts over Ryanair’s ability to thrive in the package holiday market, suggesting its brand and customer service issues may be a significant obstacle.

easyJet and Ryanair

Photo Source: Air Service One

Kenton Jarvis, the incoming CEO of EasyJet, has cast doubt on Ryanair’s ability to succeed in the growing package holiday market. Jarvis, who will assume leadership of EasyJet in January, questioned whether customers would trust a Ryanair-run hotel, citing concerns about customer service and the airline’s reputation for not answering calls during emergencies.

In a recent statement, Jarvis highlighted the trust gap between EasyJet and Ryanair, saying, “It’s one thing to sit on a plane for 90 minutes, but another to arrive at a hotel where you can’t get assistance in case of an issue like overbooking.” He emphasized that EasyJet’s brand is built on customer service and reliability.

Ryanair, under Michael O’Leary’s leadership, has been exploring a return to the holiday package sector, which it left in 2016. O’Leary recently suggested that reviving the holiday division could boost profits by enabling the airline to charge higher fares. However, Jarvis was critical, noting that O’Leary initially dismissed the idea, calling it a “bad idea,” before shifting his stance.

While Ryanair mulls its entry into package holidays, EasyJet has been making strides in the market, with its holiday division generating substantial profits. EasyJet’s package holidays grew by more than 50% in the past year, with plans for further expansion into new destinations. In contrast, Ryanair’s move into the sector is seen as a late attempt to tap into a growing demand for holiday packages, a market where EasyJet is already thriving.

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