OTAs step up row with Ryanair

The dispute is the latest in a long-running battle between Europe’s largest airline and some of the region’s leading OTAs

OTAs have called on UK regulators to investigate Ryanair’s data requirements for passengers who do not book directly through its website. In a letter sent to UK regulators, signatories Booking.com, eDreams Odigeo, Expedia Group, Kiwi.com, lastminute.com, Skyscanner and On the Beach – members of Online Travel UK – claimed that Ryanair could be in breach of UK data protection rules.

Key takeaways

• They raised concerns over Ryanair’s “invasive, unnecessary and unfair” treatment of customers;
• The companies argue that the low cost carrier forces many customers booking through third-party websites to hand over significant personal information in a complex process, including facial verification, in order to manage their booking or check-in online;
• Ryanair claims that these new checks are necessary for safety and security reasons, yet it could easily verify a passenger’s booking by using their name or their date of birth, like all other airlines, the OTAs argued.

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