MyTravelLite sizes up to Ryanair
The no-frills bubble shows no signs of bursting following the announcement of route expansions by two of the smaller UK airlines.
MyTravelLite has named Dublin as its latest destination, and Flybe is adding three more routes out of Southampton.
MyTravelLite will operate two return flights a day between Birmingham and Dublin from 30 September and says fares will start from 1.99 euro each way, plus taxes. The carrier hopes to profit from friends and relatives travelling between Dublin and Birmingham’s Irish community.
MyTravelLite managing director, Vanessa Lenssen has stirred things up in the O’Leary camp with the comment: “Aer Lingus and Ryanair have had a cosy cartel on this route for far too long, and have steadily increased fares to levels that match the so-called ‘full service’ airlines on similar routes.”
Ryanair has retaliated by saying its fares on the route are half those of MyTravelLite, at 0.99 euros, and the carrier offers more daily return services. A spokesperson said: “Ryanair welcomes competition. This is not the first time an airline has announced a Dublin route and it won’t be the last, and like all the others, they won’t beat Ryanair on price, frequency or punctuality.”
Flybe is hoping to cash-in on the skiers market with its new routes to Salzburg in Austria and Chambery in France. The third new route is from Southampton daily to Prague, launching October 26.
Daily flights to Salzburg launch on 26 October, and flights to Chambery on 16 December. Fares will start from £29 each way.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps