One of Europe’s leading discount airlines, Ryanair announced that it will now accept PayPal as a leading payment option for consumers seeking to purchase tickets online. According to the company, by adding PayPal to more traditional payment instruments like credit and debit cards, Ryanair’s 86 million customers will enjoy the additional convenience and security of using one of the world’s largest online third party payment service providers.
“Ryanair revolutionized low fare air travel in Europe. As the pioneer of faster, safer online payments, PayPal is delighted to help Ryanair develop its customer experience by making it even easier and quicker for travelers to book and pay for their flights online,” said Louise Phelan, PayPal’s Vice President for Global Operations Europe, Middle East and Africa. “With our 152 million active accounts across the world, we’re also making it easier for businesses such as Ryanair to expand their international sales.”
With airlines in Europe coming under strain over interchange fees on debit and credit cards, which have resulted in airlines charging significant surcharges to customers, by adding PayPal, Ryanair should be able to provide customers with not only a convenient solution but one that will not result in additional surcharging given PayPal’s competitive acquiring fee structure.
For more information on the e-commerce landscape in Europe and European based alternatives to PayPal see Mercator Advisory Group’s Research Note, European E-Commerce Landscape, released in March 2014.
Overview by Tristan Hugo-Webb, Associate Director, International Advisory Services.
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