Happy flying! Ryanair increases baggage charges 66 per cent this summer

Ryanair has its baggage charges by 66 per cent in time for the summer, in yet another a bid to discourage people from bringing hold luggage on flights.

The airline's boss, Michael O'Leary, unveiled the plans at a press conference in London, and said Ryanair had increased its charge for hold luggage by €20 (£17.50) for the summer period.

This means that passengers will now pay up to £45 for one bag, one way, on selected flights during peak season. Paying to check in one bag at the airport could cost as much as £140.

You can see the full list of the airline's extra charges in its terms and conditions page.

Speaking on ITV News, when asked why he was charging people more over summer, he replied: "That's when they are likely to bring more bags."

He continued by saying that the airline would keep increasing charges until it gets rid of hold bags, adding that Ryanair had reduced the number of passengers checking in hold luggage from 80 per cent to 19 per cent.

Mr O'Leary said the move was saving the airline "a fortune in money" and, according to the Express and Star, added: "We will never get rid of (hold) bags but I would be disappointed if we don't get our figure for (hold) bags down from around 20% to 10%."

Asked if Ryanair would consider charging for hand luggage, Mr O'Leary said: "At some point in the future I think it's likely that airlines will do it but I can't get my head round how you would do it. I think it's unlikely that we will do it," reports Sky News.

The press conference came just days after Ryanair announced it had asked pilots to add two minutes to every hour's flying time in a bid to save money on fuel.

Mr O'Leary said the move would save the airline around £70 million a year.

However, when asked if he was considering reducing the amount of air conditioning on his flights, Mr O'Leary said: "No. Even I would not do that."

The news of baggage charge increases comes the same week that the airline reported a 21 per cent year-on-year fall in first quarter profits this year. The Irish carrier admitted that the heatwave in Britain meant fewer high-revenue late bookings in recent weeks, reports the Guardian.

%VIRTUAL-Gallery-134072%

Related articles

Ryanair pilots ordered to 'fly slow to save dough'

Ryanair charges passengers at Spanish airport extra for carrying cake