Ryanair has announced that for all bookings made from 23rd January 2008 onwards, the cost of each item of baggage checked-in will increase from £5 to £6 per item, and the cost of the airport check-in will double from £2 to £3.

The announcement comes a few months after Ryanair introduced online-checkin for passengers who only have hand luggage - and as a result don't need to use the airport check-in desks.

Ryanair's plan is to get atleast 50% of passengers travelling with just hand luggage and using the online/internet check-in. Its expected that the airline will continue to increase costs periodically until this target it reached.

At present, passengers can take on board hand luggage up to 10Kg in weight and use the internet check-in and have free priority boarding once in the departure lounge.

With the cost of oil rising and the low-cost flight market being highly competitive, airlines with Ryanair in particular are charging for all elements outside the actual flight. This includes airport check-in, food and drink on the flight, baggage to go in the hold etc.

By having more passengers carrying just hand luggage and using the online check-in, airlines can reduce the number of check-in desks they have to rent, employ less staff and these cost savings can be passed on to the passengers in the form of low fares and cheap flights across Europe.

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