Ryanair: Ban Check Luggage

Ryanair is considering a ban on checked-in luggage on selected flights in a bid to cut costs after announcing an 85 per cent fall in profits.

The carrier said a hand-luggage only rule was being considered for some morning and midweek departures which contain a high proportion of business travellers.

A spokesman said that although the airline had a general policy to encourage people to travel with only hand luggage, the rule, if introduced, would be confined to non-tourist routes and flights.

Ryanair’s profits recently slumped to 21 million Euros following the rise in the price of oil. Banning checked in luggage on some flights would save money on airport baggage handlers and reduce the airline’s fuel bill because the flights would be lighter.

Ryanair has already said it will temporarily stop flying to seven airports this winter and is attempting to negotiate better deals with the airports it uses.

However, chief executive Michael O’Leary has claimed the airline is well placed to ride out a recession and even said that he welcomed the downturn, because some rivals would be forced into administration.
 

31 July 2008