Ryanair has announced a hike in baggage check-in charges while doubling passengers’ baggage allowance.
From October 1 the cost of checking in a single bag will soar from £20 to £30 at the airport and to £15 from £10 if booked in online.
Passengers will also now be able to check in a second bag, up to 15kg in weight, at a cost of £70 at the airport and £35 if reserved online.
Sports equipment will cost £40 if checked-in online and £50 at the airport, while excess baggage fees have been upped from £15 to £20 per kilo.
The airline attempted to justify the price hikes by pointing out that its average fares have fallen by 20%.
The company said passengers can avoid the fees by travelling with carry-on baggage only.
Ryanair spokesman Stephen McNamara said: “Ryanair continues to reduce airfares saving our passengers more than €530 million this year alone.
“In order to persuade passengers to travel with carry-on bags only, and to defray the cost of some of these fare reductions, we are increasing baggage allowances and fees with effect from October 1.
“These baggage fees are avoidable by choosing to travel with carry-on luggage only. More than 70% of Ryanair passengers will be unaffected by these changes as they already travel with just one carry-on bag, which is free of charge.”