Easyjet’s trade hostility thaws
Business Travel Show London 2005: Easyjet’s hostile attitude towards travel agents and business travellers is thawing as the airline continues to expand its routes and grow passenger volume.
The carrier admitted it has softened its approach and is developing a markedly more co-operative relationship with the trade.
But Easyjet head of corporate affairs Toby Nicol stressed the new approach would not extend to commission payments.
“We have to hold our hands up. Our initial attitude towards travel agents and corporates was a big two fingers,” he told a seminar at London’s Olympia. “I don’t think we’ll ever pay commission but we now have a more decent way of working with the trade.”
He said the carrier began to target corporations when it realised business travellers tended to book the more expensive last minute fares.
Nicol added that the growth of the airline network meant it could not afford to treat agents and corporations the way it used to.
Ian Nurdin, deputy chairman of the Institute of Travel Management and travel manager at Nestle, said using low cost airlines could save money but warned delegates to scrutinise change and cancellation policies.
“They offer excellent low prices but are their restrictions too inflexible?” he asked.
Destination airports “50 miles from anywhere” and “expensive food” should also be considered, he said.
Mr Nurdin also addressed the belief that businesses must fall in line with Easyjet, rather than the airline meeting the needs of travellers.
“If I’m paying £87 for a return to Nice with Easyjet instead of £450 with a traditional airline I’ll quite happily fit in with them,” he told the seminar.
He added it was important for senior executives of a company to experience the product before low cost airlines would become accepted within an organisation.
Mr Nicol later insisted Easyjet was now flying to the major airports in Paris and Amsterdam and operated 15% of all flights from Gatwick.
Phil Davies
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