Having squeezed just about every other frill out of its service, low-cost giant Ryanair is considering charging people to take luggage.
At a monthly media briefing the Stansted-based carrier's firebrand chief executive Michael O'Leary talked about introducing charges of up to £50 a bag in a bid to encourage people to only take hand luggage.
But this week a Ryanair spokeswoman played down any prospects of immediate action.
Mr O'Leary had revealed handling checked-in baggage was one of the company's biggest costs, and by introducing a scheme to cut back on luggage the Irish airline could save £33m a year.
"The purpose is not to make money from checked-in luggage the purpose is to get rid of it altogether," said Mr O'Leary.
The company believes it can save £5 per customer if all its passengers only have carry-on bags.
But a Ryanair spokeswoman this week said the idea was one of many being looked at by Ryanair in a bid to cut down on the amount of checked in luggage, and ground services.
Published Wednesday July 21, 2004
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