Ryanair Ditches Paper Passes, Forces Mobile App Adoption

Ryanair has begun eliminating paper boarding passes, a move that requires customers to download the airline's mobile app to access their digital boarding passes. The change, announced in February and delayed from earlier start dates, took effect on November 12. As a result, passengers will no longer be able to print physical boarding passes, and will instead be required to check in online via the Ryanair website or app before arriving at the airport. According to Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, the decision to move to digital-only boarding passes is aimed at encouraging customers to adopt smartphone technology. "Almost 100 percent of passengers have smartphones, and we want to move everybody onto that smartphone technology," O'Leary said in a recent interview on The Independent's daily travel podcast. Those who fail to check in online before arriving at the airport will be charged an airport check-in fee of €5.50, equivalent to approximately $6.72. The airline's decision to eliminate paper boarding passes is part of a broader trend in the aviation industry towards digitalization. Many airlines have already implemented digital check-in and boarding pass systems, and Ryanair's move is seen as an effort to stay competitive in the market. "They will still, as they are today, be paying the airport check-in fee of €5.50, equal to about $6.72," O'Leary explained in a recent report from The Telegraph. "And they know that they have to check in the day before." The elimination of paper boarding passes is expected to have a significant impact on Ryanair's operations, with the airline estimating that it will save millions of euros in printing and distribution costs. However, the change may also cause inconvenience for some passengers, particularly those who do not have access to smartphones or are not familiar with digital check-in systems. Ryanair has been encouraging customers to download the app and check in online before arriving at the airport, with the airline's website and app providing step-by-step instructions on how to do so. The airline has also implemented a range of measures to support customers who may experience difficulties with the new system, including a dedicated customer support team and a comprehensive FAQ section on its website. As the airline continues to roll out the new digital-only boarding pass system, it remains to be seen how passengers will adapt to the change. However, with the vast majority of passengers already using smartphones, it is likely that the shift to digital boarding passes will be relatively smooth.