Ryanair is reminding passengers that from Tuesday, November 10, its airport bag drop services will close 60 minutes before scheduled flight departure, instead of the current 40 minutes. The change, first announced in April, applies to all airports served by the airline and is aimed at giving travellers who check in a bag more time to clear security and passport control.
New bag drop deadline
The airline issued the reminder on October 27, warning that passengers using the airport bag drop service should have their bags checked in at least 60 minutes before departure. Those who do not follow the rule risk being left behind at their home airport.
Ryanair said the adjustment is intended to benefit the 20 per cent of its passengers who check in a bag for travel, giving them extra time to get through airport security and passport control queues. The 20-minute change is expected to be most useful during busy travel periods.
Impact on passengers
The airline also hopes the move will reduce the small number of passengers who miss flights because of delays at security and passport control. This follows disruption many travellers experienced over the summer linked to the new Entry/Exit System in the Schengen Area.
Passengers who do not check in bags will be unaffected and can continue to check in online before arriving at the airport and proceed directly through security.
Official statement
Ryanair Chief Marketing Officer Dara Brady said: "From Tuesday, November 10, bag drop services at all Ryanair airports will close 60 minutes before scheduled departure, instead of the current 40 minutes."
He added: "This small change will give the 20 per cent of Ryanair passengers who check in a bag, more time to clear airport security and passport control queues and get to their departure gate before boarding begins, particularly during busy travel periods when airport queues can be longer."
Brady concluded: "We remind passengers using airport bag drop services to arrive at the airport in good time and ensure they have checked in and dropped their bags before check-in and bag drop closes 60 minutes before departure. The remaining 80 per cent of passengers who check in online and do not check in a bag are unaffected by this change."
Travellers flying with Ryanair from November 10 who have bags to check in are advised to arrive at the airport early to avoid being left behind.
