easyJet provides cheaper option for business travellers

easyJet has revealed the results of a survey that shows that easyJet is cheaper than alternative carriers on the busiest European routes 79% of the time and that companies save over £100 on at least 35% of journeys.

However, the survey also demonstrates that companies are ignoring their own rules and are wasting money by only booking easyJet for 10% of journeys. According to previous ITM Research over 35% of companies adopt a “Lowest Logical Fare” policy for European short haul travel. Therefore it is clear that these policies are not being enforced fully.

easyJet commissioned ITM Research to conduct a completely independent and unbiased price comparison study using real business travellers. The analysis involved ITM Corporate Members within the South East with a traveller base that primarily flew in and out of the four London Airports.

The study was conducted on a random sample of 300 booked itineraries over a three month period between June and August this year and covered a basket of return fares across 22 European and UK Domestic ex-London routes. In order to be completely fair, the analysis included any negotiated fares with traditional airlines compared with the base easyJet price plus speedy boarding and applicable fees and taxes.

David Osborne, easyJet’s regional general manager for the UK, said:

“Once again easyJet debunks the myth that special sweetheart deals negotiated with the legacy airlines provide value for money – they don’t. They just produce a fare that is slightly less expensive than it was to start with. easyJet has tailored its products and services for the business traveller, with frequent flights to major business airports and not out of town airfields. We are now available on the GDSs and self booking tools and we encourage TMCs and business travel agencies to promote our proven low fares with care and convenience to their customers.”

Paul Tilstone, ITM’s chief executive added:

“When easyJet engaged with the GDSs they also entered into consultation with ITM and others about additional fees corporate buyers would incur. ITM challenged easyJet on their suggestion that the fee impact was minimal as they were the cheaper option for business travellers on most occasions. The airline subsequently commissioned ITM Research to undertake an independent study to test this. The robust analysis was undertaken across hundreds of real-time trips and demonstrated that whilst small GDS fees have been added to fares, the bigger picture shows the airline’s new model does indeed offer a cost reduction opportunity for travel buyers.”

The research also showed that when it came to UK domestic travel, the frequency of easyJet schedules meant that on 90% of occasions easyJet were shown to offer a cheaper alternative itinerary to the flight booked.

In the current economic climate, travel budgets are coming under increased scrutiny. Our study shows that the best way of managing the cost of a company’s business travel is to enforce lowest logical fare policies and book easyJet wherever possible.

To view the complete analysis, visit: easyjet.com/business