Ryanair launches loyalty program for £ 175 a year

The largest low-cost airline in Europe is attacking frequent flyers by selling annual subscriptions to "Ryanair Choice".

For an annual payment of € 199 (£ 175), pbadengers will be able to book the lowest fares while qualifying for 'standard' seats, accelerated airport access (where applicable), priority boarding and a luggage of 10 kg.

The airline has also promised a 24-hour notice regarding the sale of four seats a year.

The program offers benefits similar to those of "Ryanair Plus" at a flat rate. L & # 39; Independent calculates that the profits will begin after seven flights of the airline in a year, compared to the payment of extras.

Ryanair's marketing director, Kenny Jacobs, rejected the idea that the airline was copying other airlines with a frequent flyer program.

Speaking exclusively to L & # 39; Independenthe said, "I would not call it a loyalty program. You will not have a bag tag, you will not have access to a salon.

"It will be completely digital, it will be done economically. You will simply get a series of numbers that you will enter into your MyRyanair account. "

The plan will only come into force at the end of the summer. The goal is that 100,000 pbadengers register during the first year.

Ryanair also warned that the risk of a Brexit "without agreement" is on the rise.

Jacobs said: "The risk that there will be no flights remains until the proposal [on UK-EU operations] Brussels is accepted or the transition agreement is signed.

He predicted that the release of the European Union would be postponed beyond March 29, 2019. But he added that it had no impact on bookings: "For Joe Public, here in the UK and in Europe, travel is as usual. "

Ryanair warns that the persistent shortage of air traffic control personnel could have a negative impact on punctuality this year.

"The summer announces worse than last year," said Jacobs.

"It cost us 5% punctuality in January. You will feel it on weekends, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays, as well as in July and August. "