From today, European low-cost airline Ryanair will no longer allow the use of printed boarding passes. Instead, passengers will have to show their digital pass via the app on their smartphones, reports The Independent. According to the airline, this will provide a “better experience“ for the small percentage of passengers who still use paper boarding passes, reports Focus.
Ryanair notes that 85-90% of customers already use digital boarding passes. The new policy aims to transfer the rest to the app, while reducing costs and facilitating service. The app offers notifications about departures, delays and on-board shopping options.
CEO Michael O’Leary said passengers without a smartphone or with a dead battery will not be left behind. “As long as you’ve checked in online, you’ll get a free paper boarding pass at the airport. It’s fine if you’ve checked in in advance,” he said.
The change does not affect passengers from Morocco, where the government still requires paper boarding passes. Ryanair added that the app meets accessibility standards and offers special assistance at airports for people with visual impairments. However, the new policy could be stressful for some passengers, especially if they have battery or internet connection issues.
Boarding passes are available offline after check-in, and the airline has a response plan in place in the event of technical issues. The move to digital boarding passes is part of a global trend towards paperless and automated travel. The next step will likely be the use of biometric recognition for passing through checkpoints and boarding.