Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary is to ease stringent travelling conditions for his passengers. In a move that some might describe as Mr O'Leary trying to be "no more Mr nasty Guy", the outspoken chief has announced a relaxing of bag restrictions for passengers, a reduction in baggage charges and an easing of booking conditions.
These and other changes will cover the period up to the end of March next year so it remains to be seen whether the relaxation of restrictions will carry on into the busy summer months.
From December 1 ryanair will allow passengers to take a second small carry-on bag (small ladies' handbag or small airport shopping bag) no bigger than 35cm x 20cm x 20cm, which will allow a bottle of wine or equivalent to be carried.
From January 5 its standard airport bag fees will be cut from £60 to £30 at the bag drop desk and from £60 to £50 at the boarding gate, bringing them into line with competitor airline standard airport bag fees.
From November 1 customers who book directly on the ryanair.com website (ie not via travel agents or screenscrapers) will be given a 24-hour grace period from the time of their original booking to correct any minor errors (spelling, names, routings) made in their original booking;
From november 1 ryanair will operate "quiet flights", between 9pm and 8am. During these periods no announcements will be made on board other than required safety announcements. Ryanair will also dim the lights during such flights.
From December 1 the airline's boarding card reissue fee will be cut from £70 to £15 for customers who have already checked in online. Customers who fail to check in online will continue to pay a £70 airport check-in fee.
Mr O'Leary said: "We are very excited at these significant improvements in what is already Europe's number one customer service airline.
"as we implement our plans to grow from 80 million to over 110 million customers per annum over the next five years we are actively listening and responding to our customers." In his frequent media conferences Mr O'Leary has done little to persuade others that he cares deeply about his passengers.
Of late he has appeared almost conciliatory. Last month he apologised to an Ireland-based neurosurgeon - whose wife and three children were killed in a suspected arson attack on their Leicester home - after he was charged e 188 (£158) to change his booking to get on the earliest flight to Birmingham on the day of the fire.