Ryanair Extends Deadline for Printed Boarding Passes

Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost airline, has decided to extend the availability of printed boarding passes, allowing passengers to check in with paper tickets until early November. Initially, the airline aimed to eliminate this option by May, but recent communications indicate a delay in implementing the change.

Starting from November 3, the airline will exclusively accept boarding passes stored on mobile devices or other electronic gadgets. The main traveler on a booking will be required to request the digital boarding passes through the company's app, which can also be shared with other travelers via messaging services. Currently, about 80% of passengers already utilize the Ryanair app for their boarding pass needs.

The decision to move towards a fully electronic boarding pass system has sparked concerns among some passengers, particularly in the UK, who may lack access to smartphones or similar devices. Issues such as device malfunctions or low battery life also pose potential challenges. Additionally, some airports, particularly in Turkey and Morocco, still mandate printed boarding passes for compliance with local regulations.

Ryanair is striving to become the world's first paperless airline, claiming that the transition to electronic boarding passes could prevent the generation of over 300 tons of paper waste annually. The airline currently charges additional fees for passengers who do not check in electronically and require assistance from airport staff. However, they anticipate that by November, most of the fees associated with airport check-ins will be eliminated. In cases where travelers arrive at the airport with malfunctioning or depleted devices, the airline has assured that support will be provided without charge.