Less than 5 per cent of Ryanair passengers may be using its website check-in service which was described last January as a "revolution in low fares air travel".
All passengers travelling with hand luggage and in possession of an EU passport are able to check-in on the web at www.ryanair.com, thereby bypassing all check-in and airport queues. These passengers are also given priority boarding.
However, figures produced by the Dublin Airport Authority indicate that less than 5 per cent are using the facility, which is expected to become the norm throughout the industry within a few years. The target in the short-term is believed to be 35 per cent, but the airport authorities believe there is no evidence this target can be achieved.
Ryanair said the 5 per cent figure was "spin" from the airport company, being used to bolster its case for slot co-ordination at the airport. However, it refused to give the current figure.
The airport authority claims the airport is facing major congestion that can only be addressed through a slot co-ordination system where airlines have to stick to an agreed timetable set by an independent party.
Aer Lingus has also recently introduced website check-in, although it is not available on some European routes. It also has spent considerable sums on its "easy pass" system of check-in at kiosks at Dublin airport.
