Ryanair crackdown: Passengers warned over ‘last-minute’ 100 euro fines.
Credit: Shutterstock, VILTVART
Ryanair has never been shy about enforcing strict policies, but its latest move is raising eyebrows and emptying wallets. The budget airline is cracking down on latecomers with a controversial new rule: show up at the gate less than 40 minutes before departure, and you could be slapped with a €100, or £100 fine.
The airline insists the measure is all about punctuality, claiming that last-minute stragglers have been holding up flights and disrupting schedules.
But not everyone is buying it. Some passengers see this as yet another sneaky way for the airline to boost revenue.
More rules, more revenue?
This latest policy comes alongside other changes Ryanair has recently rolled out, including the elimination of paper boarding passes and stricter limits on hand luggage. The airline claims these tweaks are designed to streamline operations, but many passengers suspect they’re just another excuse for hidden fees.
While some travellers welcome the stricter boarding rules – hoping they’ll lead to fewer delays – others argue that the fines unfairly punish passengers for issues that aren’t always within their control.
What you need to know
To avoid being caught out by Ryanair’s new rules, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport well in advance. Download all boarding passes via the Ryanair app. And, double-check luggage dimensions before heading to security.
With the airline’s reputation for surprise charges and strict policies, this latest move is unlikely to win them any popularity contests. But whether it’s a necessary step for smoother flights or not, the debate isn’t going anywhere.
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