Ryanair has doubled its baggage allowance but increased its check-in fees.

From 1 October 2009, Ryanair is increasing its baggage fees by 50% in an effort to encourage passengers to travel with carry-on luggage – checking two pieces of luggage in at the airport could cost passengers £100.

The airline insists that passengers make savings elsewhere, stating that it has reduced its average fares by 20% this year.

The new system means that travellers can take two bags onboard, up to 15kg each, but these will be charged online at £15 for the first bag and £35 for the second. If paying for baggage at the airport, passengers will be charged even more – £30 for the first bag (instead of the current £20) and £70 for the second.

Stephen McNamara, from Ryanair, said: “In order to persuade passengers to travel with carry-on bags only and to defray the cost of some of these fare reductions we are increasing baggage allowances and fees with effect from 1October.

“These baggage fees are all avoidable by all passengers who choose to travel with carry-on luggage only. Over 70% of Ryanair passengers will be totally unaffected by these changes as they already travel with just one carry-on bag, which is free of charge.”

Having experienced an increase in August traffic of 19%, the airline has also announced it has increased the size of its fleet to 200, having invested $12 billion in it.