Ryanair sees jump in bookings

RYANAIR is seeing a lift in bookings as a result of tourists abandoning unstable locations in north Africa in favour of other destinations.

Airlines have spoken of the impact rising oil prices could have on their businesses due to the unrest in north Africa. However, some are expected to see a pick-up in passenger numbers as tourists opt for other locations.

Already the Greek tourism minister says tourist numbers will rise 11% in 2011, helped by unrest in North Africa. Bloxham analyst, Joe Gill said a couple of weeks ago similar comments were made by tourism agencies in the Canaries.