The Irish airline has always been known for radical measures when it comes to cutting costs. That’s why the use of the company’s own app is now mandatory for all passengers who want to fly. If you don’t have a smartphone, you’re stuck on the ground.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary’s ideas and initiatives continue to cause a stir. Be it the plan to show paid erotic films on planes or the introduction of compulsory facial recognition. Because of the latter, the airline is currently being scrutinized by data protection authorities following a lawsuit.
The airline’s latest idea isn’t quite there yet. Because how Dublin Live reported, O’Leary announced just a few days ago that they were planning to make using the Ryanair app compulsory over the next year. Check-in should then only be possible via smartphone. If you prefer to check in at the counter or do not have a mobile phone, you will have to switch to another airline in the future.
This is intended to save staff and other costs for maintaining counters at airports. After all, 60 percent of Ryanair passengers are currently using the app. By the end of the year it should be 80 percent, says O’Leary. The schedule stipulates that after Easter 2025 nothing will work without a smartphone.
It will probably be in April or May next year, after Easter. I think by May of next year it will be 100 percent the app. Michael O’Leary, CEO Ryanair
The airline’s boss himself is not a fan of the app. “I was hesitant to use the app because I’m afraid of boarding a flight without a piece of paper,” he said. But that shouldn’t be of any use to the passengers. O’Leary is at least certain that he will hardly lose any customers, although he expects that many will complain loudly.
“The customers who want a piece of paper are the same ones who didn’t want to switch to the Internet when they first switched, but were then the first to switch to the Internet because of the cheaper flight prices,” said the Ryanair boss. By the way, if the smartphone battery is empty, you can still check in. Because all information is available at the boarding gate. All you need is a passport.
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