Ryanair rules out 'fat tax' for passengers

Published on Friday 8 May 2009 22:11

BUDGET airline Ryanair has said it will not be implementing a "fat tax" for passengers who take up more than one seat – although a third of passengers who completed an online survey said they would support the extra charge.

The airline considered introducing the tax after 30,000 passengers said they believed the airline should follow the example set by some US airlines.

A spokesman said yesterday that weighing customers would lead to longer queues and check-in times, and confirmed the idea had been shelved.

Stephen McNamara of Ryanair said: "We are the first UK-based airline to consider such a charge, but as Europe becomes bigger, other airlines will undoubtedly have to think about it."

Charging more to larger customers has already been adopted by at least two American airlines after complaints from passengers forced to share a flight with someone too big to fit into an economy seat.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary recently caused controversy by suggesting his passengers might be charged for using the lavatories.

The no-frills airline has also asked passengers whether they would be prepared to pay extra for bikini clad cabin crew or for toilet paper with Mr O'Leary's face on it.