Passengers may have to load their own bags onto Ryanair flights

Ryanair passengers could be told to carry their own luggage onto the aircraft as well as spending a pound to use the toilet under plans being drawn up by the no-frills airline. The proposals are the latest initiatives being considered by the carrier as it continues trying to cut costs. But the company believes that it could save money if it did not have to pay for baggage handlers to transport suitcases from the terminal to the aircraft. Currently passengers are charged £10 to put a bag into the hold. Passengers who are willing to do this would see the cost of checking in a bag reduced, but the airline was unable to say by how much. The luggage proposals would follow on from other cuts, including removing check in desks from 146 airports across Europe - which is set to save Ryanair £44 million a year. But that has meant that its passengers have become the first in the world to pay for checking in online - with everyone having to pay £5 to do so. It was the latest in a series of charges imposed by the airline which says its fares are the lowest in Europe. Other fees include charging £100 to change the name on a booking online and £150 via a call centre. Changing a flight costs £55 by telephone and £25 via the internet.

Meanwhile Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's chief executive, said the airline was ready to charge passengers for using the onboard toilets. "I do believe we will start charging for toilet access. If we can get rid of two of the three toilets on a 737, we can add an extra six seats." However Mr O'Leary has ruled out proposals to charge obese passengers more for their flights because he regards the idea as impractical.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/5430226/Passengers-may-have-to-load-their-own-bags-onto-Ryanair-flights.html