Ryanair increases check-in charges

Ryanair, has increased its charges for baggage and airport check-in for all new bookings.

The increase in charges is part of its continued drive to encourage passengers to travel without checked in bags and use Ryanair’s free of charge internet check-in.

Its fees for placing items in the plane’s hold have increased from £5 to £6 per bag whereas the cost of checking in luggage at the airport has increased from £10 to £12 per item.

In addition, passengers who check-in at the airport, rather than online, will also have to pay £3 rather than the £2 previously.

The company is also warning it will continue to increase the charge until at least 50% of passengers travel with hand luggage only and check-in online.

Spokesperson Peter Sherrard said we have already seen considerable increases in the numbers of passengers using Ryanair’s internet check-in since we made it free of charge in September 2007.

In November 2007, the airline reported a 23% increase in pre-tax profits for the half-year to end September to €459.5 million (£305.3 million).

The Dublin-based budget airline flies to 26 European countries and anticipates it will carry 52 million passengers this year. It flies into over 20 airports in the UK and Ireland, including Bournemouth, Derry, Doncaster, Dublin, Prestwick and Stansted.

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