Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
RYANAIR has announced that it will no longer accept printed boarding cards at airports, as the company is now fully digital.
With the aim of speeding up travel and lowering costs, the budget airline is ‘moving to 100% digital boarding passes’ from Wednesday.
The majority of passengers already check-in online prior to arriving at the airport.
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Each of Ryanair’s 206,000,000 passengers will receive a digital boarding card that can be used at the airport or during boarding.
Those who fail to check in online prior to their flight will pay a compulsory airport check-in fee of up to £55, the airline has announced.
However, if passengers have checked in only but are unable to access their digital boarding pass they are able to receive a physical copy at the airport – a service which previously cost £20.
This option can be used by passengers who are unable to use the digital system.
Despite this option, some campaign groups have raised concerns about how the change will affect people who do not have internet access – a recent report by communications watchdog Ofcom found 5% of people in the UK do not have internet access at home.
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Dennis Reed from Silver Voices says that these digital services, which require apps or QR codes, are also difficult for older people.
‘The digital revolution has gone completely bonkers to be honest,’ he said.
Age UK reiterated the idea, stating that companies like Ryanair who are moving to digital and on-line processes, should offer an alternative method of bookings, checking in, and showing tickets.
Ryanair must not ‘forget the 4.3 million older people who do not use a smart phone’, said Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s charity director.
One frequent 94-year-old Ryanair flier, has found the digital move ‘depressing’ and is worried about adding extra travel time because of a need to navigate an unfamiliar system, particularly in Italy, where she regularly visits her daughter and does not speak the language.
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‘I would be very sad to not be able to go and see my daughter, I look forward to it. She said, ‘It’s my highlight of the year.
Ryanair is implementing the digital change across the entire company starting Wednesday. The only exception to this will be Morocco, where a paper boarding card must still be used.
There will continue to be physical check-ins at airports. Those travelling to Morroco may collect their boarding cards at the airport.
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