Ryanair admits airport boarding card fee a ‘fine’
28.03.11
Ryanair has admitted to a Spanish judge that its £40 airport boarding card fee is a 'penalty' in order to 'punish' passengers who do not print off their passes, thereader.es reports.
The airline was taken to court by a passenger who was unable to print off his boarding pass due to lack of access to a printer, and who called the £40 'fine' a 'disproportionate' and 'exaggerated' amount. But Ryanair said they 'find it hard to believe' that 'in this day and age' every unmarried passenger 'would not have access to a printer'.
Ryanair said in its written communication to Barcelona's Mercantile Court Number One that it was 'necessary' to 'establish a fine' to discourage people from 'refusing' to check in online, since checking in at the airport 'causes queues and frustration'.
The judge at the Barcelona court found that airlines were obliged by international law to 'issue' boarding passes. Ryanair intends to appeal the decision and continues to charge the fee.
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