Low-cost airline Ryanair has announced today (28 April) it will raise baggage and airport check-in fees to encourage passengers to check-in online.

The checked in baggage fee goes up from £6 to £8 while airport check-in fees increase from £3 ($6) to £4 from 5 May.

Passengers travelling only with hand luggage – the carrier has a 10kg (22lb) limit – and checking in on the website before they arrive at the airport will avoid these charges.

The carrier says 40% of its customers currently avoid queues at both check-in and boarding by doing this.

“This increase in fees will result in fewer checked in bags and more passengers changing to on-line check-in,” said Ryanair head of communications Peter Sherrard.

“On-line check-in is faster, more efficient and costs Ryanair less. There is no doubt that it is the future for travel.

“We will continue to increase baggage fees until half of our passengers check-in online, which will allow us to reduce check-in and handling costs and pass on these savings to our passengers in the form of Europe’s guaranteed lowest fares.”