Ryanair announced on Wednesday that it will close check-in counters 20 minutes early to prevent passengers from missing flights. At issue is concern about queues at European borders.
The low-cost airline will require passengers to check-in and hand over their luggage at the airport one hour before takeoffinstead of the current deadline of 40 minutes.
The change, which will come into effect from November 10thwill give passengers more time to pass through the airport security zone and passport control. It is also expected to reduce the number of people missing flights because they are stuck in queues.
According to , although the measure was not motivated by the introduction of European Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires most citizens of non-EU countries to provide biometric data at the border, the airline said the system had been a factor in increasing queues for passport control.
Since October, waits of several hours have been reported at some airports with the phased introduction of EES.
Ryanair has revealed that the majority of passengers will not be affected by its check-in change, with around 80% complete the formalities online and go directly to the boarding gate. Just about 20% of its customers deliver luggage at airports, with the majority paying for the transport of hand luggage or traveling without luggage.
The airline highlighted that, by October, it had installed self-service for baggage delivery in more than 95% of its airports.
Ryanair’s marketing director, Dara Bradystated that this means a “faster baggage delivery service, fewer queues at airport counters and an even more punctual service for the 20% of our customers who still want to check in a bag”.
The Irish airline has been at the forefront of changing baggage rules, including charging passengers for cabin bags. It has been known to strictly enforce size limits, encouraging employees to identify and fine offenders.
While many of the changes sparked an initial reaction of outrage, the airline’s chief executive, Michael O’Learywas unapologetic and stated that travelers should be grateful for the encouragement to travel light.
