Ryanair is doubling its airport check-in fee to £20 per person per flight from May in a bid to discourage passengers from using it.

From October 1, airport check-in will be phased out altogether and desks will no longer be available at any Ryanair airport.

The changes will be introduced in three phases.

In phase 1, from March 19, Ryanair’s web check-in service will be extended to non EU/EEA citizens, passengers travelling with checked baggage and reduced mobility customers.

Customers choosing web check-in and travelling with only carry-on bags will not pay a fee, but any passengers with bags to check in will pay £5 per person per flight.

Passengers who wish to use airport check-in will be charged a fee of £10 per person per flight at the time of booking.

In phase 2, from May 1 all new bookings will be required to use web check-in, and the use of traditional airport check-in desks will be phased out over the summer months.

Airport check-in charges will be increased to £20 per person per flight in order to dissuade passengers from using it.

In phase 3, from October 1 airport check-in desks will no longer be available at any Ryanair airport.

All passengers will be required to web check-in and those who have checked in bags will use the airport “bag drop” desks.

From this date, children under the age of 16 will no longer be able to travel unaccompanied and passports and national ID cards will be the only accepted forms of photo ID on Ryanair flights.

Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said web check-in was currently used by 75% of passengers.

He claimed the removal of airport check-in would allow the airline to reduce its airport and handling costs and keep fares down.


By Bev Fearis