Alibaba Group's online travel platform Fliggy has been approved as an official online travel agency (OTA) partner for Ryanair in China, a move that significantly expands the low-cost carrier's reach into the world's largest outbound travel market.
The agreement, announced on 25 August 2026, enables Fliggy to sell Ryanair flights directly through the airline's official API connection. Chinese travelers can now book Ryanair's extensive European network—covering the UK, Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal—with full price transparency and direct access to their bookings.
The integration is facilitated by Atlas, a Ryanair Approved OTA Aggregator partner, which provides the necessary connectivity infrastructure. This partnership comes as demand for travel from China to Europe continues to surge, with more than ten European destinations ranking among the top thirty for Chinese travelers in the first half of 2026, according to Fliggy data.
Expanding reach to 500 million members
Ryanair, which serves over 230 destinations across Europe, is looking to tap into Fliggy's massive user base of 500 million registered members. The airline's chief marketing officer, Dara Brady, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We are pleased to announce our partnership agreement with Fliggy – adding to our growing list of partners. Through this new agreement, Fliggy customers will be able to book Ryanair’s low-fare flights with the guarantee of full price transparency and direct access to their booking.”
Li Chen, Vice President and General Manager of Transportation at Fliggy, highlighted the benefits for Chinese travelers, noting the partnership provides access to a broader selection of European flights and a superior booking experience. Since the partnership's launch, Ryanair bookings on Fliggy have increased by over 20% month-on-month.
The move is part of Ryanair's broader strategy to strengthen its presence in the Chinese market, which has seen a rebound in outbound travel following the pandemic. The airline has been actively pursuing partnerships with OTAs and aggregators to expand its distribution channels, particularly in Asia.
For Fliggy, the partnership enhances its European inventory, giving it a competitive edge against other Chinese OTAs such as Ctrip and Qunar. The platform already offers a wide range of travel services, including flights, hotels, and vacation packages, and this addition is expected to attract more users seeking affordable European travel options.
The collaboration also aligns with broader trends in the Chinese outbound market, where travelers are increasingly seeking value-for-money options. Ryanair's low-cost model, combined with Fliggy's user-friendly interface, is well-positioned to capture this demand.
Industry analysts note that the partnership could also benefit European tourism, as Chinese travelers are among the highest-spending visitors to the region. With more than ten European destinations in the top thirty for Chinese travelers, the potential for growth is significant.
This development follows other recent moves by European carriers to expand their reach in China, such as Agoda's deepening tech-driven partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board, which highlights the growing importance of digital distribution in the region.
As the Chinese travel market continues to recover, partnerships like this are likely to become more common, with airlines and OTAs seeking to leverage each other's strengths. For Ryanair, the deal with Fliggy is a clear signal of its commitment to the Chinese market, and for Fliggy, it is a step forward in its mission to provide comprehensive travel solutions to its users.
The partnership is expected to drive further growth in bookings, with both companies optimistic about the future. As Li Chen noted, the collaboration is a significant step in making European travel more accessible for Chinese tourists, leveraging Fliggy's expansive user base and Ryanair's low-cost fares.
