Minister Dempsey has insisted that security measures for cabin and hold baggage are in place as part of the state's overall aviation security regime and he pointed out that there are regulations regarding what types of baggage could be brought to certain parts of an airport.
The Ryanair plan envisages a €20m per annum saving in baggage handling charges if passengers carry their own bags to the aircraft for placement in the hold and reverse the process on landing.
Just how Ryanair would accommodate current hold baggage screening methods for illicit substances (sniffer dogs) hasn't been outlined by the airline which may be just one of the objections by the Department of Transport to one of Michale O'Leary's most recent proposals.
Minister Dempsey said "While I am aware of recent press articles about suggestions by the airline concerned that it plans to stop passengers checking in any baggage from next year, my department has not received any proposal of this nature to date,"
In relation to the €10 travel tax and the 'standing seats' Minister Dempsey poured cold water on both suggestions. In relation to the travel tax he said that the tax would bring in €95m this year and €156m next year which would seem to completely contradict Ryanair's contention that the travel tax is killing tourism to Ireland.
The Ryanair cost model saw a 13% growth in passenger numbers for the month of June alone compared to a 14% decline in passenger numbers at Dublin airport for the same month.
On the subject of 'standing seats' Minister Dempsey said "I heard the suggestion about standing on airplanes some days ago. I had not been aware of it and all I could do was laugh. I am still laughing." he said.
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