Ryanair, the largest airline in Europe in number of passengers, has announced that it will definitely abolish paper boarding cards, forcing all travelers to use exclusively the “Myryanair” application from November 12th. The decision marks the end of traditional check-in at airports and reinforces the company’s digital strategy.
The announcement was made by Ryanair group CEO Michael O’Leary, who in October 2024 had already signaled the intention to align the company with other sectors that operate only with digital tickets, such as festivals and sports events.
According to the company, about 80% of the more than 206 million annual passengers already use the mobile card boarding card, which will now be essential for check-in, according to the aviation aviation site.
With the new policy, it is no longer possible to print the boarding card at home, completely eliminating the alternative to digital check-in. For those who do not present the card in the application, the rates can be high: up to 55 euros per person, plus 20 euros for the resection of the ticket at the airport.
A total bet on digital
Currently, only passengers with Flexi Plus tickets have the option to check in at the airport, but even this possibility will be removed. The measure is part of Ryanair’s approach to reducing costs and accelerating processes, but it is also another example of its rigorous policies, which for years have divided opinions among travelers.
Ryanair argues that the change in November follows technological evolution, stressing that most customers already have smartphones and are familiar with mobile applications. However, this option excludes those who do not have access to digital devices or are not comfortable with the use of technology, says the same source.
Impacts and risks for passengers
The total dependence of the mobile phone brings with it new risks. If a passenger runs out of battery or does not have access to the application at the time of boarding, he may face serious complications and additional costs. In addition, occasional tourists or less digital travelers can be caught by surprise.
Experts in the sector, cited by, warn that policy can generate frustrations and delays in the first months of implementation, especially if part of passengers is not properly informed.
Still, Ryanair believes that full digitization will simplify operations and reinforce its position as a lowest efficient company in Europe.
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