Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary is facing a social media backlash after it emerged that the airline pays staff bonuses to catch passengers with oversized carry-on luggage. The Irish budget carrier currently offers gate staff around €1.50 (£1.30) for each bag they intercept that exceeds the strict size limit of 40x20x25cm, with a monthly cap of €80 (£70).
Passengers caught with bags that are even a centimetre over the limit are charged a fee of up to €75 (£65). O'Leary has said he is considering increasing the incentive to 'eliminate the scourge of passengers with excess baggage.'
Hundreds of customers have vented their frustration on social media. One wrote: 'O'Leary's latest idea: turn cabin crew into bag police for a €1.50 bounty. Ryanair profits soar, but instead of easing baggage rules, they double down on penalties.' Another fumed: 'Considering the profit Ryanair makes, €1.50 to an employee for finding an oversized bag is pathetic.'
However, some passengers have seen the funny side, joking about offering bribes to get through with their luggage. One quipped: 'Arriving at the gate with €5 should do it.'
Separately, Ryanair passengers on a flight from Bristol to Gran Canaria on 18 July were left without any checked baggage after the plane landed with no suitcases on board. The captain blamed 'time constraints' and a security issue at Bristol Airport.
