Ryanair to increase oversized bag bonus

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The bonus for Ryanair workers who intercept passengers with oversized cabin bags will rise from €1.50 to €2.50, the airline's boss said.

Michael O'Leary told the BBC the change would come in this November, and that he made no apology for it.

Mr O'Leary said the bonus was meant to put off the small minority who brought cabin bags which were bigger than the size limit, insisting the airline was "not trying to catch people out".

He added that if people "don't comply with the rules and try to get on with an outsize bag, we will catch you and I would look forward to rewarding and bonusing our staff that pick out those oversize bags".

Ryanair passengers can be charged up to £75 they try to bring a larger bag than allowed onto a flight, although the fee depends on the route and travel date.

The airline currently allows a small carry-on bag – with a size capped at 40cm x 20cm x 25cm and weight of 10kg – with every ticket.

However, this is set to increase to 40cm x 30cm x 20cm from September after a change in EU rules.