Ryanair baggage and check-in charges rise again

Published: 23/01/2008 - Filed under: News »

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“Low-cost” carrier Ryanair has increased charges for checking in at the airport and putting baggage in the hold.

The charges, which come into effect on bookings made from today (January 23), mean passengers will now have to pay £3 to check in at the airport (up from £2), and £6 for each piece of checked luggage (up from £5). Given that passengers cannot check-in online if they have checked luggage, this effectively means a charge of £9 per person per flight for those checking in one piece of luggage.

Peter Sherrard, a Ryanair spokesman, says: "Ryanair remains determined to encourage more and more passengers to travel with carry-on luggage only, which allows them to use our free web check-in, skip airport queues and enjoy our priority-boarding service free of charge.”

Sherrard also warned that further hikes in fees were likely, adding: “[Fees] will continue to increase over time until we reach our objective of persuading at least 50 per cent of all Ryanair passengers to travel with hand luggage only. This will in turn allow us to reduce the number of airport check-in desks that we rent and the handling staff we employ so that we can continue to pass on these handling savings in the form of Europe’s guaranteed lowest fares.”

Passengers intending to travel with hand luggage only on Ryanair should note that the carrier is still operating a one-bag only policy on all services, despite the recent relaxation of cabin-baggage restrictions. The maximum size of the bag is 50 x 40 x 20cm, and the weight limit is 10kg.

Ryanair introduced airport check-in charges in September last year (see online news August 29). For more information visit ryanair.com.

Report by Mark Caswell