Ryanair mulls over new 'hefty' tax

Ryanair is mulling over the idea of a ‘fat tax’ after inviting its passengers to take part in an online poll that could decide what its next discretionary charge will be.

Making light of its reputation for levying fees, the airline has asked customers to vote on its next surcharge - with a cash prize on offer for the best idea.

After unveiling the mid-way results of its poll, Ryanair promised 1,000 Euro (£890) to whoever puts forward the most popular suggestion.

Of the 45,000 people who have so far responded, 40 per cent said that individuals who exceed their ideal body mass index should be forced to pay an overweight fee.

Other popular suggestions included a three-euro charge for smoking a cigarette in a specially converted toilet cubicle, and a two-euro ‘corkage’ fee for bringing your own food on-board.

“We are delighted with the number of votes cast to date and a little surprised with how the vote has gone so far,” commented spokesman Stephen McNamara. “We urge more passengers, especially those who may be a little larger, to vote before the poll closes on Friday (April 17).”

The airline attracted criticism in February when it said it was considering charging customers a £1 toilet fee for using any of its on-board lavatories.

© Cheapflights Ltd

Comments

[Lawrence Kershaw]

Given that Ryanair don't want people to check-in, how / when could people be weighed?
Of course they might change their tune and get everyone checking-in if there is money to be made.
So we could then see large industrial scales at airports where people's luggage (hand or otherwise) could be weighed "en masse".