Ryanair's Bold Move: Staff Bonuses Soar for Catching Oversized Bags!

Ryanair is making waves in the airline industry by raising the bonus for its staff who identify passengers carrying oversized cabin bags from €1.50 to €2.50 per intercepted bag, effective this November. CEO Michael O’Leary firmly stated this decision aims to discourage the small percentage of passengers who attempt to board with larger bags than the airline’s specified dimensions, which are currently set at 40cm x 20cm x 25cm and a weight limit of 10kg. This move follows a recent change in EU regulations, which will increase the acceptable dimensions to 40cm x 30cm x 20cm starting in September.

O’Leary emphasized that he does not feel sympathy for ”chancers” who ignore the rules, asserting that their main priority is to maintain order and efficiency during boarding. He added that compliance with bag regulations results in faster boarding processes and fewer flight delays. The airline imposes hefty fees, up to £75, on passengers who cannot meet these size limitations, generating revenue that contributes to Ryanair’s reputation as one of Europe’s cheapest carriers.

In a significant change to its policy, Ryanair will also abolish an €80 cap on the total bonuses a staff member can earn monthly for catching oversized luggage. O’Leary expressed that not only flight attendants but also ground handlers should be vigilant in identifying passengers trying to ”game the system”.

While discussing the airline’s stance on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), O’Leary was skeptical about the UK’s SAF mandate, claiming there is little chance that it will be met by 2030. He criticized SAF as ”nonsense”, indicating that supply issues hinder Ryanair’s potential to increase its sustainability efforts. This contrasts with the Department for Transport’s assertion that SAF adoption is essential for a greener aviation future and could positively impact the economy by £5bn by 2050. Despite government optimism, O’Leary predicts that aviation’s sustainability targets are unlikely to be achieved.

Overall, Ryanair’s strategy reflects a fervent commitment to rules enforcement while maintaining low-cost operations, stirring interest in how this will impact passenger behavior and corporate sustainability efforts moving forward.