Ryanair raises peak time bag fees

Ryanair is planning to increase the cost of luggage checked in during peak periods in a bid to discourage passengers from carrying too much baggage on board. The move, which will come into effect from June next year, will see checked-in baggage fees rise from £20 to £25 per bag for all online bookings that are made from 15 Dec. The fee for bags checked in at airports or via call centres will increase from €35 to at least €60 per bag. The cost of online baggage checked in during low season will not be affected by these latest changes. A Ryanair spokesperson commented: “Over 70% of Ryanair passengers will be unaffected by these changes as they already travel with no checked-in bags and instead use Ryanair’s free of charge 10kg carry on allowance.” But the move has caused been yet another controversial one for the low cost carrier. The Consumers Association of Ireland has labeled the price hikes as ‘ absolutely punitive’ and suggested it is Ryanair’s intention to ‘fleece customers’. Ryanair is also planning to increase its boarding card reissue penalty from £40 to £60, from 15 Jan 2012; a move which it hopes will prompt the 10 passengers per day who forget to bring their boarding card to bring it. Ryanair caused outrage last year when it announced plans to charge passengers €1 for the use of toilets short flights.