“Indirect discrimination”: Ryanair’s new idea is illegal according to Unia

Last week, at a press conference, Michael O’Leary, the group’s CEO, announced that Ryanair would eliminate check-in counters at airports within six months.

“We want to eliminate checks at airports in the same way that we eliminated baggage counters. From May 1, we are working so that everything is done through the application, nothing will be done on paper”he explained to our colleagues at the Irish Mirror.

Today, Ryanair customers are strongly encouraged to check-in online, via the website or app. But those who don’t can, by paying an extra €55 at the airport, get their boarding pass or even buy a plane ticket. Counters whose management in airports is subcontracted by other companies on behalf of Ryanair.

But in practice, such a change would mean that any passenger who does not have a smartphone will not be able to board a Ryanair flight. “Customers who want a piece of paper are the same demographic that didn’t want to adopt the Internet at first, but were the first to move online to get cheaper plane tickets”launched Michael O’Leary in his own style, in the columns of the Irish Mirror. “I’ve been hesitant to use the app myself because I’m afraid of getting on a flight without a piece of paper, but it works great. And the app tells you which gate you’re boarding from or There’s a delay.”

If Ryanair goes 100% app-based, passengers without a smartphone should not be blocked at the boarding gate if they have checked in online.

According to Michael O’Leary, a procedure already exists and allows travelers, already registered, to pass through, even if they cannot present their digital “boarding pass”. “We do this sometimes if someone’s phone isn’t working for some reason”added the boss of Ryanair.

Discrimination according to Unia

But won’t this novelty prevent a whole series of people from traveling with Ryanair, in particular the elderly or those, like the writer Amélie Nothomb, who have chosen not to use a smartphone?

For Unia, the interfederal center for equal opportunities, this provision planned for 2025 raises questions.

“For Unia, within the meaning of the law, this is indirect discrimination on the basis of age and disability, affecting people without smartphones. And, to a lesser extent, it is discrimination on the basis of wealth, because less well-off people, who must travel to see family, for whom Ryanair represents a cheaper optionanalyzes Anne Salmon of Unia. The removal of any paper alternative is disproportionate and will create autonomy problems.”

This case, which could affect Ryanair users in the coming months, is reminiscent of another. SNCB is already in the crosshairs of Unia and the consumer defense association Testachats, for having reserved FLEX transport tickets, at advantageous prices, for users of the application.

Other formulas, such as the Youth Multi (formerly Go-Pass) or the Standard Multi, also cost more in their paper version, even if they are purchased at the terminals. “First of all, we never take legal action. For SNCB, we first attracted the attention of the public company regarding this discrimination”adds Anne Salmon of Unia. “We have given SNCB formal notice to modify its pricing policy. But it responded negatively. We then instructed our lawyers to take legal action.”

Will Ryanair be subject to a similar procedure when it moves to 100% app? We will first have to see if Michael O’Leary will walk his talk or if this is yet another communication stunt. Remember that the emblematic boss had already announced, in 2009, that Ryanair could charge overweight people a supplement or charge for access to toilets on the plane… This was not the case.