Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary has defended new charges introduced by the airline for priority booking.
From 1 June passengers checking in online will have to pay €5 extra if they want to be among the first to get on a flight.
Up to now priority booking for people checking in online was free.
The Consumers' Association of Ireland has criticised the move, saying it is another example of the airline taking a profit at any opportunity.
But Michael O'Leary says people can choose not to pay the charge.
Ryanair fights check-in desk charges
As Ryanair seeks to lower its own costs, it announced today that it has filed a further legal challenge against a decision by the Aviation Regulator to approve a 50% increase in check-in desk charges at Dublin Airport.
Ryanair says that the Regulator is allowing the Dublin Airport Authority a monopoly to double charge users for the same cost, 'given that airport users are already paying for check-in desk costs through excessive airport charges'.
Ryanair also repeated its call today for the scrapping of public service obligation subisidies for routes from Dublin to regional airports. Ryanair, which won the contract for the Kerry service, claimed it would reduce the subsidy on that route by 40%.
Mr O'Leary defended the airline's bid for the route, saying that if 'unjustified subsidies' were available, Ryanair was right to apply for them.
