Ryanair Face Criticism Over New Charges

Budget airline Ryanair is facing tough criticism over its imposition of a €5 charge for check-ins.

The airline announced on Wednesday it will be introducing new check in procedures whereby customers will have to carry out the check in procedures themselves online, and will be charged €5 for their trouble.

The airline is abolishing airport check-in from October, boarding passes will now have to be printed from the airlines website and presented on arrival.

A spokesman said: "This move will allow all passengers, including those travelling with checked baggage, to check-in online, thereby avoiding time-wasting queues and delays at airport check-in desks."

The new charge would add €50 to the cost of a family holiday for five people, as it is applies €5 per person for each flight there and back.

The new charge comes following weeks of complaining by the airline's Chief Executive Micheal O'Leary that the €10 flight levy introduced by the Government at its budget in October was " devastating the tourism industry".

Consumer bodies described the new impositions as "the straw that could break the camel's back" in terms of driving customers away from Ryanair.

After major outcry from consumer groups and the public on Tuesday, the Ryanair chief said that his controversial idea about starting to charge passengers for access to the lavatory on flights was a publicity stunt.

Mr O'Leary told a tourism conference yesterday that it was technically impossible and legally difficult.

He told the conference, organised by city tourist bodies around Europe, that Ryanair had bought Boeing aircraft in recent years, but the doors were not suitable for charging customers to use the toilet.

See: Ryanair Passengers Will Still 'Go' Free

(DW/BMcC)