Michael O’Leary has said he is thinking of increasing the bonuses paid to Ryanair staff who spot passengers with oversized bags. 

Every staff member who spots someone with an oversized bag receives a commission of €1.50 and the passenger is asked to pay an additional charge before boarding. 

On Breakfast Business with Joe Lynam, Mr O’Leary said fines for passengers with oversized baggage are a policy that he “wholeheartedly endorsed”. 

“It’s something I've been advocating for many years,” he explained. 

“Nothing pisses our passengers off more than the one or two head bangers who show up at our boarding gate with an outsized ruck sack, claiming that they didn't know or they try to scam to get it on,” he said. 

“And 99.9% of our passengers don't pay excess baggage fees; they comply with the rules and we are determined to eliminate and get rid of these irritating, tiny minority who refuse to abide by the rules.” 

A Ryanair plane. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/ RollingNews.ie

Mr O’Leary added that passengers with oversized bags slow down the boarding process, generating “disruption” for their fellow travellers because their bags often do not fit in the overhead lockers. 

“I was boarding a flight up to Faro myself at the airport last Friday,” he said. 

“We will actively go after that tiny minority of passengers who, despite repeated warnings, keep showing up with outsized bags, they will be paying and I'm happy to reward our staff bonuses for that. 

“We are determined to get rid of these bags and if bonuses are the way forward, then I'll happily pay the bonuses. 

“In fact, I'm thinking of increasing the bonuses.”

An aerial view of Dublin Airport from the perspective of a Boeing 737. Picture by: Mint Photography / Stockimo / Alamy Stock Photo

Following a ruling last year in the High Court, the Dublin Airport passenger cap was suspended for this year’s summer season. 

However, Mr O’Leary wants the Government to permanently increase the number of flights allowed in and out of Dublin Airport, blaming “Government dithering and indecision” for the lack of action. 

“I’m so frustrated with Dublin Airport and the incompetent way this new Government has tackled it,” he said. 

“We got planning permission for a second runway in 2015; second runway takes traffic capacity at Dublin Airport up to 60 million passengers. 

“This was an issue front and centre in last November’s election, most of the main Government parties promised they would scrap the cap as soon as possible.

“We have had seven months of dither and drift and delay and inaction from Micheál Martin and Darragh O’Brien.” 

He urged the Taoiseach to “get his finger out of his backside” and deal with the issue. 

“It’s time we saw action and we need legislation,” he argued. 

“So, stop blaming the planning process.” 

A Ryanair cabin crew member looks out a plane door. Picture by: Chris Craggs / Alamy.

On the question of who should be Ireland’s next President, Mr O’Leary declined to express a view.

“I don’t care,” he said. 

“It’s the most overpaid and irrelevant job in the country; I don’t think anyone fundamentally cares who goes for the park. 

“What we fundamentally care about is a Government that delivers on its promises - which is to scrap the cap.”

Main image: Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary. Picture by: Alamy.com