In the aftermath of an incident at Marseille-Provence Airport, where numerous passengers were left behind due to congestion at security controls, Ryanair has announced a significant change to its check-in and baggage drop-off procedures. Effective from Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the cut-off time for these operations will now be 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure, an increase from the previous 40-minute requirement.
According to a statement released by the low-cost airline, this new measure is designed to provide passengers with additional time to navigate security checks and passport control, thereby minimizing the chances of missing their flights. This adjustment comes as the airline rolls out a substantial number of self-service kiosks for baggage drop-off, with plans to have over 95% of its network airports equipped by October. These kiosks, which are integrated with the airline's mobile app, will enable travelers to check their luggage and print labels independently, streamlining the process and reducing wait times significantly. This improvement primarily benefits the 20% of passengers who travel with checked baggage, while the remaining 80% will continue to check in online and head directly to their boarding gates.
The decision follows a turbulent period just days after the incident on Sunday, April 20, when a Ryanair flight bound for Marrakech departed with approximately 83 passengers still at the airport. This situation, attributed to a backlog at border control, has sparked considerable controversy. Different parties are now debating accountability in the matter. The Marseille-Provence Airport has referred to the event as "exceptionally rare" and has initiated an internal investigation to identify the failures that led to the situation. Reports suggest that the delays were exacerbated by a shortage of personnel at security checks, which prevented many travelers from reaching their boarding gates on time. Conversely, Ryanair has cited operational constraints as the reason for the flight's on-time departure.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
