LCCs adapt to attract corporate travellers

EUROPEAN low-cost carrier,
Ryanair, has unveiled its
Business Plus product,
which is available from £59,99
(R1 060) and offers corporate
travellers flexibility on ticket
changes, 20kg checked-in bag
allowance, priority boarding
and premium seats. However,
perks such as reclining seats,
free meals or lounge access
will not be offered.
Ryanair’s chief marketing
officer, Kenny Jacobs, says
the new product targets a
new generation of business
travellers. “What business
travellers want has changed. It
used to be about the lounge,
free snacks and free drinks
but now customers want
a reliable value-for-money
service that gets them to their
destination quicker, spending
less time at the airport and
more in meetings.”
South African corporates,
however, still value some
‘frills’, says Hein Kaiser,
spokesperson for Mango.
He says although the most
important feature for business
travellers on short-haul flights
is the flexibility of the ticket,
corporates still ask for some
frills such as lounge access
and refreshments on board.
“What we have seen, too,
is that the additional 10kg
checked bag allowance really
benefits business travellers
too.”
Mango’s business product,
Mango Plus, has grown since
its introduction in late 2007
and has proved popular among
corporate travellers, says Hein.
The popularity of a business
offering for corporate travellers
has also prompted kulula to
re-evaluate its offering. Shaun
Pozyn, marketing manager,
says the LCC has introduced
enhanced products, such as
preferential seating, the ability
to purchase extra baggage
and some flexibility on ticket
changes on certain tickets.