Ryanair to launch hand baggage only flights
28.07.08
Ryanair will launch hand luggage-only flights in October as it steps up its campaign against checked-in baggage. Conversely, the budget airline is also considering charging higher fares for the flights, which it claims will be more punctual because they will have quicker turnaround times with no luggage being carried in and out of the hold - and also lower check-in, handling and fuel costs for the airline.
Announcing an 85% drop in profits today, Howard Millar, Ryanair's deputy chief executive, said a number of UK routes will host the no-bag trials, where passengers will be limited to one piece of hand luggage only.
He said: ‘We are going to trial them on routes where we have a lot of passengers who are business-type groups. So maybe the first flight in the morning has bags and the second does not. You just go straight through security and on to your flight.’
Asked if the flights will be priced much lower than Ryanair's average fare of €42 to reflect the savings on fuel, baggage handler and check-in staff costs, Millar added: ‘Maybe there will be a premium because the aircraft will turn around quicker.’
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