Ryanair is aiming to attract business passengers by agreeing to accept American Express cards on its website.
The budget airline, which last week vowed to improve its customer service, announced the change of policy today in a move designed to increase bookings from business travellers and corporate travel departments.
Ryanair's deputy chief executive Howard Millar said that "more than 20 per cent" of its passengers were currently travelling on business which was why it had reached an "acceptance agreement" with Amex.
He added: "We estimate that 20 per cent to 25 per cent of our passengers are travelling on business, with online check-in ensuring they avoid airport queues, while the option of priority boarding and reserved seating has proven extremely popular.
"Indeed, a recent survey of Ryanair passengers in Spain, where Ryanair is the largest carrier, highlighted that 22 per cent of our passengers were travelling on business."
Ryanair's change of policy on accepting Amex cards shows that it is now following budget rival Easyjet's strategy of increasing its focus on the corporate market.
Rob Gill