An airline, which also operates flights in Romania, will close the check-in desks 20 minutes earlier. What is the reason

Ryanair has announced it will close its airport check-in desks 20 minutes early to reduce the risk of passengers missing their flights amid concerns about queues at European border controls, according to The Guardian.

The low-cost carrier, which carries around 200 million passengers a year, will require everyone dropping off bags or checking in at the airport to be present one hour before take-off, up from the current 40-minute deadline.

Ryanair said the change, which will come into effect from November, would give passengers more time to get through security checks and passport queues, reducing the number of people missing flights due to airport congestion.

While the move was not prompted by the introduction of the European Entry-Exit System (EES), which forces most non-EU citizens to provide biometric data at the border, the company said the system contributed to increased queues at passport control.

Waiting times of several hours have been reported at some airports, in the context of the phased introduction of the EES system, which began in October. Greece announced this week that it will not apply the new checks for British citizens this summer, fearing border blockages in the height of the summer season. More than 100 passengers lost an easyJet flight from Milan due to queues at passport control this month after the system became fully operational.

Ryanair stated that the majority of passengers will not be affected by the change to the check-in procedure, as around 80% complete their formalities online and go directly to the boarding gate. Only around 20% of customers check in their luggage at the airport, with the majority opting for carry-on luggage or traveling without luggage.

The company also announced that by October it will install self-service baggage drop-off counters in more than 95% of the airports where it operates. Ryanair's chief marketing officer, Dara Brady, said this would lead to “a faster bag drop service, fewer queues at airport counters and even better punctuality for the 20% of our customers who still choose to check in”.

The Irish airline, Europe's largest by passenger numbers, has been at the forefront of changes to baggage rules, including the introduction of cabin baggage charges. It has also become known for strict enforcement of baggage size rules, encouraging staff to spot and penalize violations.

While many of these measures sparked initial backlash, the company's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, made no apologies and suggested that passengers should appreciate the encouragement to travel with less luggage.

Photo: Henri Coanda Airport © Cateyeperspective | Dreamstime.com