From 1 October Ryanair check-in desks will no longer be available at any airport from which the low-cost carrier operates.

All passengers will be required to check-in on line - at a fee of £5 or 5 euro - and those who wish to check in luggage will have to use special airport 'bag drop' desks. The cost of checking in a single bag for a return flight is rising to £30, with a second now costing £70.

Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's chief executive, said the measures were designed to save the airline around £46m a year.

In a further move by the company, from the same date children under the age of 16 will no longer be able to travel unaccompanied and passports and national ID cards will be the only accepted forms of photo ID on Ryanair flights.