Ryanair warning as major change could leave some passengers grounded

The budget airline's CEO Michael O'Leary says while he has reservations about the move it will reduce the number of staff required at airports and help keep prices low

Ryanair has announced that all passengers will be required to check-in for flights using its online app from May, a move that could potentially ground those without smartphones. At present, customers are strongly urged to check in online, as failure to do so results in a €55 charge at the airport.

However, CEO Michael O'Leary has expressed his intention to eliminate check-in desks within the next six months. This would mean that any passenger without a smartphone would be unable to board a Ryanair flight.

Speaking at a press conference in Dublin, Mr O'Leary stated: "We will get rid of ticket desks and then there's no reason to charge people for airport check-in."

He added: "We want to get rid of airport checks in the same way we got rid of bag [desks]. We are working towards from May 1 that everything will be done on the app, nothing will be done on paper anymore."

He further predicted: "It will probably be around April or May of next year, after Easter. I think from May next year it will be 100% the app."

Despite his own reservations, Mr O'Leary confirmed that he is planning to modify the airline's system so that all bookings and check-ins will have to be conducted via the Ryanair app. However, he argued that the move would reduce the number of staff required at airports and help maintain low airfare prices, reports Dublin Live.

He said: "I have been reluctant to go on the app because I am terrified to get on a flight without a piece of paper, but it works so well. [The app] tells you your gate and if there is a delay."

"The customers who want the piece of paper are the same demographic that when we first moved over to the internet they wouldn't move over but were then the first ones to switch to the internet for cheaper airfares," he added.

Mr O'Leary revealed that currently 60% of passengers are using the app, and he anticipates this figure will increase to 80% by year's end. By May, customers will be left with no other option but to use it.

If a passenger's phone battery dies while at the airport, the Ryanair CEO assured that there are already procedures in place to handle such situations. He explained: "If your battery dies we have your seat and your passport and we can do that at the boarding gates at the moment.

"We sometimes do that if someone's phone doesn't scan for some reason. Once we have the name and passport that's fine but everyone will be on the app."

Recently, Mr O'Leary called for a two-alcoholic drink limit at airports, citing a "significant rise" in disruptive passengers. He commented: "When flights run late there are people in the bars sculling the pints, so we asked for a two-drink cap - you show your boarding pass and it's stamped.

"We need to bring it back a little bit on the amount of drinking. I personally am fond of a drink but I don't know why bars in airports are open at 7am, the normal pubs can't open until 11am or 12am."

The Ryanair chief expressed his willingness to implement a two-drink limit on board as well, claiming he's not concerned about the potential loss in revenue from such a decision. He further stated: "Would it cost us money? Not much.

"Our average flight time is 1 hour and 15 minutes, very few people buy and consume two alcoholic drinks in that time. And if they are misbehaving on our flights our cabin crew don't serve them anyway."