From 1 October this year, Ryanair will move to 100pc check-in online. This move, it said, will avoid time-wasting queues and delays at airport check-ins.
Ryanair’s web check-in service is currently open from 15 days to 4 hours before the scheduled departure time of each flight.
Web check-in can be accessed via ryanair.com, where passengers use booking confirmation numbers or flight details to retrieve each reservation.
Having printed their boarding cards at home, passengers without check-in bags can continue to proceed directly through airport security, while those with check-in bags present themselves at one of Ryanair’s ‘drop desks’, before proceeding through airport security to the boarding gates.
The implementation of fully fledged web check-in will take place over three phases.
During the first phase, from 19 March, the web check-in facility will be extended to all non-EU and EEA citizens, reduced mobility passengers and passengers with checked baggage. A €5 fee will apply to people travelling with checked baggage, while a €10 fee will be charged to people who check in at desks.
Under the second phase, from 1 May, the use of traditional airport check-in desks will be phased out over the summer months. In order to dissuade passengers from using airport check-in desks, the fee for airport check-in will double to €20 per person/per flight at the time of booking.
The third phase of the plan, from 1 October, will see the end of Ryanair check-in desks at airports, with all passengers required to check in over the web.
“Ryanair’s web check-in service is currently used by up to 75pc of our passengers,” said Ryanair spokesman, Stephen McNamara.
“We are confident that all passengers will embrace this improved service, which will allow them to forever avoid check-in queues, while, at the same time, enabling Ryanair to lower its airport and handling costs and pass on these savings on to all passengers in the form of even lower air fares next winter.”
By John Kennedy
