Ryanair changes bag drop rules for all European travellers

If you’ve got a Ryanair flight on the calendar take note: As of November 10th, Europe’s biggest budget airline will be closing airport bag drop services 60 minutes before all scheduled flights.

This means that passengers are required to hand over any checked luggage at the Ryanair service desks at the airport at least an hour before their flight. Previously these services remained open until at least 40 minutes before flights’ scheduled departure.

According to a statement shared by the airline, the move is intended to ensure that passengers who do check in luggage have more time to clear airport security and passport control, and reach their departure gate before boarding begins.

Ryanair suggests the new policy will help reduce the number of passengers who miss their flights due to delays at airport security or passport control.

Many European airports have seen longer-than-usual queues following the roll-out of EES checks. Media reports have highlighted cases where passengers were left behind due to such delays, even after their luggage was checked-in. 

About 20 percent of Ryanair passengers check in baggage. The remaining 80 percent of passengers who don’t check in bags will be unaffected by the change.

For passengers travelling with Ryanair, it’s important to understand the airline’s latest policies to avoid being charged additional fees.

Last year the airline stopped issuing printed boarding passes for free, requiring passengers to check-in in advance online or with the airline’s app, or else be hit with a check-in fee to have the ticket printed at the counter.

Recently, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary told investors that the airline would likely bring “double-digit” price increases on airfares across Europe in 2027 due primarily to high fuel prices.

READ ALSO: Ryanair to cut winter flights in Europe to save on fuel costs