Ryanair has made another step towards thwarting screenscraper websites by rolling out a new CAPTCHA security system on its websites.

The airline has been battling against ‘unauthorised’ websites that display its lowest fares for a long time now. In 2010 it won a landmark case against website, Atrapalo, in the Commercial Court in Barcelona; allowing Ryanair to advertise its low fares exclusively on its own website.

The new security system requires customers to verify their booking by typing in some simple words or answering a question. The airline has put its own marketing spin on the CAPTCHA codes with words associated with its branding such as ‘low fares’, which it  claims will make booking ‘more fun’.

Ryanair’s Robin Kiely said: “With helpful travel reminders, words of wisdom and some simple brain teasers, Ryanair passengers can look forward to even faster access to the lowest fares, while the CAPTCHA facility also improves consumer protection, preventing passengers being ripped-off by unauthorised screenscraper websites mis-selling Ryanair’s low fares.”

Ryanair trialled the system on UK and Irish websites and has now rolled it out across all markets.