The budget airliner has unveiled plans to make all boarding passes fully digital, meaning those who download and print their tickets before flying will no longer be able to do so.
Rollout is set to take place on November 12 despite around 20% of passengers opting to use physical boarding passes.
However, the company’s boss, Michael O’Leary, assured passengers, telling them that his 86-year-old mother uses the Ryanair app to travel.
‘Dismay’ as millions of Brits could be stopped from flying after Ryanair makes major boarding pass change
Age UK said that while new technology is a “wonderful thing”, there are still millions of people across the country who are not online and will be left in “dismay” by the move.
Caroline Abrahams, Age UK Charity Director, said: “Any move to make tickets or documents virtual is likely to be met with equanimity by those who are savvy smartphone users, but with dismay by the millions of people, most of them older, who aren’t online at all.
“Technological innovation is a wonderful thing and potentially offers cost savings to organisations at a time when money is tight – but it’s incumbent on everyone to remember that digital exclusion is still a major problem in our society.
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“If organisations want to accelerate a shift to digital, then they must also take responsibility for ensuring that those who aren’t computer users now and never will be have good alternative options and aren’t simply airbrushed out.”
On the airliner’s website, Ryanair CMO, Dara Brady, said: “To ensure a seamless transition to 100% digital boarding passes for our customers, we will make the switch from Wed Nov 12th, which is traditionally a slightly quieter time for travel following the busy mid-term break period.
“Ryanair’s move to 100% digital boarding passes will mean a faster, smarter, and greener travel experience for our customers, streamlined through our best-in-class “myRyanair” app, where passengers will also benefit from helpful in-app features, like Order to Seat and live flight information.”
Ryanair has been approached for comment by Newsquest.
