The Advertising Standards Authority has told Irish budget airline Ryanair (FR/RYR) that its “Jab & Go” advert must not run again in its current form.
The watchdog received a large number of complaints about the campaign which told customers “vaccines are coming” and encouraged them to book flights in order to “Jab & Go”.
The airline showed images of young adults swimming and drinking during the advert.
It was a accompanied by a campaign on their website.
The complaints ranged from Ryanair making light of the pandemic through to the fact that the age of the adults in the adverts would be in the last group to receive vaccines.
The ASA upheld the complaints saying that it was “likely that consumers would interpret the phrase ‘vax and go’/‘jab and go’ as an unequivocal endorsement of vaccinating and travelling unconditionally.”.
In response, Ryanair said it would comply with the ruling but disagreed with the decision.
A spokesperson for the airline said, “The ASA’s ruling flies in the face of the UK’s successful vaccine rollout, however even though this ruling is baseless, Ryanair will comply with it and the Jab & Go adverts will not run again.”
Ryanair went on to claim that the decision meant all advertising for Airlines, Tour Operators, and travel agents for travel or holidays this Easter & Summer should also be banned.