Ryanair is under investigation by an advertising watchdog after claims its “jab and go” ad was “offensive and irresponsible”.
The ad, which was designed to advertise the airline’s Boxing Day deals, encouraged consumers to book their Easter and summer holidays so they can get vaccinated for COVID-19 and start their travels.
It was rolled out on TV in the UK just weeks after the first COVID-19 jab was administered.
“COVID vaccines are coming, so book your Easter and summer holidays today with Ryanair,” the ad said, despite the government imposing mandatory travel curbs across England.
“One million seats on sale from £19.99 to sunshine destinations in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece and many more, so you could jab and go.”
According to The Drum, the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received about 1,600 complaints about the ad, claiming it is misleading to suggest the vaccine will be rolled out across the population so soon.
Some complained that it was “offensive and irresponsible” and trivialised the pandemic.
The ASA is in the process of reviewing whether the ad breached advertising rules in the UK and will deliver its findings “in due course”.
This isn’t the first time Ryanair has landed itself in hot water with the watchdog, after a 2019 ad claiming Ryanair was Europe’s “lowest emissions airline” was labelled “misleading” and in breach of several regulations by ASA.
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