Anyone traveling with Ryanair, especially for skiing or trail and hiking holidays, should know that there are two objects that cannot be carried in cabin luggage: ski poles and hiking/trekking poles, which will have to go in the hold (check-in/check-in baggage).
According to the British portal Mirror, the rule is described in the list of prohibited items “on board”, where the carrier explicitly includes “ski poles” and “walking or hiking poles” among objects with a point/edge capable of causing injuries.
In practice, this means that even if the poles are foldable or telescopic, the risk of them being blocked at security control exists, and the safest option is to place them in checked luggage.
Is it “change” or is it reinforcement? What the official rules say
Although some news presents the topic as new, the ban is not exactly a “recent whim”: it is part of the rules on prohibited items and also appears in terms and conditions published by Ryanair.
Furthermore, it is not exclusive to Ryanair: the European list of items prohibited on aircraft identifies ski and hiking poles as items to be kept outside the cabin.
Other companies, such as Aer Lingus, have similar restrictions for poles in hand luggage, reinforcing that the central point is cabin security and airport control.
Why bats are on the prohibited list
The usual justification has to do with the fact that they are long objects, with a point and the potential to cause injuries, being classified as “objects with a point/edge” in the context of aviation safety.
In Ryanair’s own language, these items “should not be carried on board”, but can remain in hold luggage, and the company recommends that sharp objects be well wrapped to avoid injuries to those handling suitcases.
This is also why, even when someone “passes” at one airport, they may be stopped at another: the decision at the control point may vary and, when there is a problem, it usually happens on the way back, when there is no longer any room.
How to avoid problems at the airport
According to , and if you are going to take sticks, the practical rule is simple: take them in the cellar and protect the ends (cover, rigid protection, thick towel, cardboard), to comply with the packaging recommendations and avoid damage.
For ski trips, it is also worth confirming the conditions of your ticket for sports equipment and measuring your luggage carefully: many “surprises” happen at the boarding gate when something does not fit, even if it seems “small”.
If you don’t want to pay for a hold, some people choose to rent poles at the destination (ski resorts and rental shops), a common solution to reduce stress and luggage costs in low cost.
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