Aer Lingus imposes 33% check-in and baggage charge increase

Aer Lingus has today announced plans to increase its check-in and baggage charges for all short-haul flights.

The cost for checking in a bag online is going up from €9 to €12, while the cost for checking in a bag at the airline is rising from €12 to €18.

The airline says the fees will encourage people to travel with less luggage and to check in online, thereby speeding up movement through airports.

Enda Corneille, director of corporate affairs said, in the coming months Aer Lingus will become the first Irish airline to pilot new baggage kiosks, which will allow customers to check-in their bags automatically.

"By reducing the number of checked bags we process, this will in turn allow us to reduce our handling costs at airports thus enabling us to continue to offer our customers lower fares with a quality service," he added.

Ryanair also announced similar increases in its baggage and check-in fees last week.