Ryanair and Tui join forces to fight online ‘pirates’

Ryanair, the Irish low-cost airline, has teamed up with Tui, the world’s largest travel company, to offer more flight options for package holiday customers.

The deal is part of Ryanair’s strategy to fight against online travel agents (OTAs) that it accuses of overcharging customers and providing poor service.

Ryanair has also signed agreements with Kiwi and Loveholidays, two other online travel platforms, to sell its flights directly to consumers.

Ryanair claims that these partnerships will benefit customers by giving them access to the best prices and customer care while separating Tui from the “OTA pirates” that Ryanair is suing for defamation and unfair competition.

The deal with Tui will allow customers to book Ryanair flights alongside Tui’s flights, as well as those of EasyJet and WizzAir, two other low-cost airlines with which Tui has similar arrangements.

Tui said the deal will create more travel options for its guests than ever and plans to increase its flight capacity from the UK this summer.

The deal comes as Ryanair and Tui are recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has severely disrupted the travel industry.