Ryanair has announced a revision to its luggage regulations. Effective November 10, the airline will close all check-in and bag drop services at its operating airports 60 minutes before scheduled departure, extended from the current 40 minutes.
The budget carrier states that this adjustment aims to allow passengers more time to navigate airport security and passport queues, ultimately reducing instances of missed flight departures due to queue delays. Approximately 20% of Ryanair passengers who check baggage will benefit from the additional time to pass through security and reach their departure gate before boarding commences.
In preparation for this change, Ryanair is deploying more self-service bag-drop kiosks, with plans for 95% of its airports to have them in place by October.
Dara Brady, Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer, highlighted, “Starting November 10, Ryanair customers will observe the closure of airport check-in and bag drops 60 minutes before scheduled departure, compared to the current 40-minute window. This adjustment will offer the 20% of customers who check baggage more leeway to clear through security and passport queues, especially during peak travel periods when queues tend to be longer.”
“We are also rolling out self-service kiosks at over 95% of our airports before October. This enhancement will streamline the bag-drop process, minimize waiting times at airport counters, and enhance punctuality for customers checking baggage. For the 80% who opt not to check baggage, this 20-minute modification will not impact them, as they can continue online check-in before arriving at the airport and proceed directly to security.”
Recent implementation of the new Entry/Exit System (EES) has caused disruptions for Ryanair passengers at certain European airports. The system, introduced across all Schengen Area border checkpoints on April 10, has led to prolonged security processing times and flight disruptions for some travelers.
EES mandates non-EU nationals, including British citizens, to register biometric data such as facial scans and fingerprints for verification upon each entry into the European Schengen Area. The system is managed by the respective national border control authorities and not by airports or airlines.
Following an incident at Milan Bergamo airport, Ryanair addressed the situation, stating that passengers could have boarded if they had arrived at the boarding gate desk before closure.
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