Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has indicated that the airline is considering increasing a bonus paid to staff for identifying passengers with oversized carry-on baggage.
Currently, Ryanair employees receive €1.50 (£1.30) for each passenger they identify attempting to board with bags exceeding the airline’s size restrictions.
In a statement, Ryanair asserted its “determination to eliminate the scourge of oversized bags which delay boarding and are clearly unfair on the over 99% of our passengers who comply with our baggage rules.”
Speaking to RTE’s Morning Ireland, Mr. O’Leary stated, “we’re thinking of increasing it [the bonus],” to deter passengers from bringing oversized bags onto flights.
Ryanair maintains that oversized baggage fees are applicable to only a small fraction of its passengers.
“Our message to those 0.1% of passengers is simple; please comply with our generous bag rules or you will be charged at check-in or at the gate,” the airline conveyed.
Mr. O’Leary noted that the airline is already facing challenges with the volume of baggage being brought on board.
“That’s one of the reasons we are so aggressive about eliminating the scourge of passengers with excess baggage,” he elaborated.
The CEO emphasized that over 99.9% of passengers adhere to the baggage regulations, referencing “sizers” available within the airport for measuring bag dimensions.
“We are happy to incentivise our (staff) with a share of those excess baggage fees, which we think will decline over the coming year or two,” he commented.
Ryanair passengers may incur charges of up to £75 for bringing a bag exceeding the size specified during booking, with the fee varying based on the route and travel date.
Currently, Ryanair permits a small carry-on bag – capped at 40cm x 20cm x 25cm and 10kg – with every ticket.
However, this is expected to increase to 40cm x 30cm x 20cm following the implementation of minimum standards mandated by the EU.
Ryanair customers also have the option to pay for additional luggage, agreeing to specific size terms and conditions during the booking process.
Mr. O’Leary’s remarks coincide with Ryanair’s announcement of a significant increase in profits for the April-June period.
The airline reported after-tax profits of €820m (£710.3m) for the period, a substantial increase from €360m the previous year, attributed to the timing of Easter and rising fares.
Mr. O’Leary anticipates that Ryanair’s summer fares will align with the average rates of 2023, while expressing confidence in the airline’s ability to enhance profitability through “controlling costs.”
The increase comes as the EU mandates a universal minimum size for free underseat bags.
Several flights between Dublin Airport and European cities have been cancelled due to French strikes.
Airlines and France’s transport minister has condemned the strikes as unacceptable, at the start of summer holidays.
The airline said it would also continue to take legal action against anyone who disrupts a flight.
The flight’s captain called ahead for medical assistance and the plane “landed normally” in southern Germany.