The airline’s chief executive Michael O’Leary said he wanted to catch people who are “scamming the system”
Ryanair is set to increase bonuses for its staff who catch passengers trying to sneak oversized baggage onto flights. The airline’s boss, Michael O’Leary, said he made “absolutely no apology” for nabbing those who are “scamming the system”.
During a press conference in central London, Mr O’Leary informed reporters that the airline will likely boost incentives for gate staff who stop passengers attempting to bring oversized luggage onboard from 1.50 euros (£1.29) to 2.50 euros (£2.16) per bag starting November. A monthly cap of 80 euros (£68.98) is also due to be scrapped.
Travellers flying with Ryanair must adhere to strict luggage rules, facing fees of up to £75 for stowing an oversized bag in the hold if it is brought to the boarding gate. Only one small bag which can fit under the seat in front is included in the lowest fares.
Mr O’Leary declared: “I make absolutely no apology for it whatsoever. I want our ground handling people to be catching people who are scamming the system.”
He continued: “I am still mystified by the number of people with rucksacks who still think they’re going to get through the gate and we won’t notice the rucksack. We will, and you will be paying for the rucksack. You’re not getting on if it doesn’t fit.”
Mr O’Leary revealed that about 200,000 passengers per year are charged luggage fees at airport gates, so “we have more work to do to get rid of them”. The airline carried 200 million passengers in the year to the end of March.
Mr O’Leary said: “We want everybody to comply with the rules. If you comply with the rules, no issues. We are running a very efficient, very affordable, very low-cost airline, and we’re not letting anybody get in the way.”
Rory Boland, editor of consumer magazine Which? Travel, said: “Making money from bags plays an increasingly crucial role in Ryanair’s business model. That includes issuing fines at the boarding gate.
“Passengers should of course adhere to the rules, but the frequent changes to those rules and many different fare packages – with varying amounts of luggage allowance – Ryanair attempts to upsell to passengers can make it incredibly confusing.
“While fining customers who break luggage allowance rules may fit with Ryanair’s model of putting profits first, this increasingly messy system is unfair on the travelling public. The rules must be made clearer and more consistent.”
