Ryanair's new baggage charges and online check-in came into effect today in what chief executive Michael O'Leary says is the continuance of his air travel "revolution".
The low-cost airline has implemented a €7 fee for each item of check-in luggage as part of what it says is a furtherance of its policy of reducing the cost of air travel.
The charge is reduced by 50 per cent if the customer gives notice of the baggage at the time of booking online or phoning Ryanair three hours before their flight.
The company is reducing prices by nine per cent in conjunction with the new measure and increasing luggage allowances from 25kg to 30kg.
Chief executive Michael O'Leary says passengers with a single piece of luggage will not find any difference in price and expects check-in baggage to reduce by 25 per cent within months.
The policy is part of Ryanair's new online check-in facility which allows users print out their boarding pass, by-passing the need to check-in at the airport when travelling within the EU.
"We have no doubt that this pioneering development for checked in bags is the way forward, as it will encourage and incentivise more passengers on short-haul journeys to travel with hand luggage only," Mr O'Leary said at the time of the announcement.
"Ryanair started the low-fares revolution in Europe back in 1990 ... today's [development] takes this revolution one step further," he added.
Aer Lingus are planning to introduce on-line check-in this year.