Travolution

Ryanair drops Expedia content from website

Ryanair has carried out its threat to terminate its hotel supplier contract with Expedia Inc.

A statement from Expedia confirmed that Ryanair "turned off Expedia hotel bookings, effective November 14".

It added: "We strongly believe that Ryanair does not have the right to terminate our agreement, and we will continue to vigorously assert Expedia's position in the pending legal proceedings and pursue our claims against Ryanair."

The row between the world's largest online travel agent and arguably the biggest travel web site in Europe dates back to mid-October, when Ryanair announced that it had given "30 days notice to Expedia that its hotel contract will end [on November 8] following Expedia's failure to honour payment terms."

Expedia said at the time that it had "complied in every respect with the terms of our agreement with Ryanair, including all payment terms, and that Ryanair has failed to honor its obligations under that agreement, " a position reaffirmed by today's statement.

Ryanair did not comment.

The dispute continues to be subject to legal proceedings, with a trial timetabled for November next year in London if the disagreement is not settled.

The 'hotels' tab on the homepage, which previously linked through to a Ryanair-branded WWTE page,  has been replaced by 'Hostel World', Ryanair's hostel, B&B and guest house partner.

Hostel World signed up as Ryanair's partner for five years in August 2007; the deal with Expedia was also for five years and was signed in March 2007.

Elsewhere on the home page, the "hotel deals" box links through to irelandhotels.com, the official site of the Irish Hoteliers Association and not affiliated to Expedia.

Readers' Comments

  Guillaume says...

What's interesting in this story is to see that Ryanair is stuck with HostelWorld as an alternative accomodation provider for their customers. Surely HostelWorld can only give a limited commission away to Ryanair knowing the thin margins they make with hostels. I am sure we will see big OTAs knocking on Ryanair's doors to replace Expedia soon. @Nozio.com - I don't believe Ryanair want to contract each hotel chain that their customers need and want. Far too complex and time consuming.

Posted: 24 November 2008 |   Report Abuse

  J Gibbs says...

An arrogant mix of 2 players like Expedia and Ryanair end up in this mess. This is why customers prefer easyJet, bmibaby etc. and airlines prefer hotel white labels from portals like Hotelopia. For more, see Travel Pros Branding Consultants.

Posted: 24 November 2008 |   Report Abuse

  nozio.com says...

Cut out the middleman & buy direct from the supplier (hotel,airline, etc)

Posted: 24 November 2008 |   Report Abuse

  http://free-holidays.blogspot.com/ says...

They (Ryanair) are now using fellow Irish company, Boo.com for hotels.

Posted: 23 November 2008 |   Report Abuse

  paula says...

If it wasnt for trvel agents in the begining ryan wouldnt be where they are now. A sale is a sale who ever sells it WHat's the big deal

Posted: 21 November 2008 |   Report Abuse

  JOlivares says...

What’s with Ryan Air ? why can't they concentrate on business by targeting what really matters in our industry ?

Posted: 21 November 2008 |   Report Abuse

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