Students in the Erasmus programme will now receive discounted flights and travel offers through Ryanair. The European discount airline and the EU Erasmus Student Network announced their exclusive partnership on 23 May 2017. The Erasmus programme provides university students across Europe the chance to study in a different European city for a year, facilitating cultural and academic exchanges and enhancing language skills in 37 countries. More than 3 million students have benefitted from the Erasmus programme since its launch 30 years ago.
“The Erasmus Generation is a generation of Europeans that are perennially curious, open-minded and full of wanderlust. This is made possible not only through the success of the European project and initiatives such as Schengen and Erasmus+, but also thanks to companies like Ryanair – without which it would be much harder to travel around Europe. We are very excited about this partnership and look forward to a fruitful collaboration,” said Safi Sabuni, President of Erasmus Student Network.
The companies said Erasmus student members will receive a variety of benefits through Ryanair’s “Always Getting Better” programme, including:
- 15% off flights on the Ryanair.com website
- A free checked-in bag with every flight booked
- A dedicated Erasmus Students booking portal
- Community forum to share travel hints & tips
- Weekly travel offers to enable Erasmus students more easily move across Europe
- Tailored Ryanair in-journey offers on the mobile app
Violeta Bulc, EU Commissioner for Transport, said she hoped other European businesses will take notice. “These discounts will help students broaden their horizons, and learn first-hand about the richness, diversity and beauty of our wonderful continent! This partnership between one of the largest European airlines and one of the largest exchange student organisations is something I hope other transport providers will be inspired to follow. I would like to thank Ryanair for launching such an initiative,” she said.
Erasmus Student Network is a WYSE Travel Confederation member.
Source: Ryanair press release, May 2017