Another publicity stunt or weighty logistical problem?
Probably a bit of both as Ryanair officially rules out plans to charge obese passengers.
The airline said it would not implement a ‘fat tax’ as there is “no way” to collect it without disrupting its 25 minute turnarounds and online check-in process.
The possibility of introducing such a tax followed a poll in which passengers voted on how it could be introduced.
The poll results showed:
46% – Charge per kg over 130kg/20 st (male) and 100kg/15 st (females);
37% – Charge for a second seat if passengers’ waist touches both armrests;
11% – Charge for every point in excess of 40 points on the Body Mass Index
6% – Charge for every waist inch over 45 inch (male) and 40 inch (female);
Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said: “Over 30,000 Ryanair passengers called for a ‘fat tax’ for very large passengers.
“However, as all passengers will soon be checking in online we have no way of collecting a ‘fat tax’ without disrupting punctuality and our 25 minute turnarounds.”
But while he may have parked his plans for a fat tax, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary now wants passengers to carry their own bags to the plane.
O’Leary said that he wanted to cut baggage handling by airline staff to a minimum, and was talking to airports about letting passengers take their own large bags – which are currently handed over at check-in – through the airport to the gate, where they would go straight into the aircraft hold.
“You do it on trains and buses, why not on planes?” he said. “It will cut out baggage complaints, because you will be the one responsible for your bags.”