Student Travel Demand Drives Ryanair–Erasmus Partnership Past One Million Passengers

(NEWS) SWORDS, Ireland, 2025-Dec-22 — /Travel PR News/ — Ryanair has passed a milestone in its long-running partnership with the Erasmus Student Network, having now transported more than one million Erasmus students across its European route network, according to the company’s press release. The achievement highlights the scale of student mobility supported through the collaboration, particularly during peak travel periods such as the Christmas holiday season.

The partnership, which has been in place for nine years, offers registered Erasmus Student Network members access to discounted fares and baggage benefits designed to make international travel more affordable during study exchanges. As thousands of students prepare to travel home for the festive period, eligible participants can access a 10 per cent discount on a set number of flights along with a complimentary 20-kilogram checked bag per booking.

Ryanair operates a network of more than 235 destinations across Europe and beyond, positioning the airline as a key transport provider for students studying abroad. The airline says the partnership is intended to support low-cost mobility during exchange periods, enabling students to balance academic commitments with travel home and exploration of new destinations while managing limited budgets.

Representatives from both organisations described the milestone as evidence of the partnership’s long-term impact on the international student community. Ryanair noted that the programme plays a role in improving access to travel for Erasmus participants, while ESN highlighted the importance of reliable and affordable transport options during mobility periods, whether students are relocating, returning home, or travelling within Europe.

As demand for student travel increases around major holidays, the collaboration continues to position itself as a practical support mechanism within the broader Erasmus programme, reinforcing the role of airline partnerships in facilitating cross-border education and cultural exchange.