Overview

• A traveler flying from Sofia to Vienna was denied boarding after declining to pay a €50–60 gate fee for an oversized hand luggage item
• Footage shows the woman crying, pounding the gate glass and pleading with staff once her bag failed to fit Ryanair’s sizer
• Ryanair defends its policy that Basic-fare tickets include only a small personal bag free of charge and imposes gate fees of up to €75 for oversize items
• CEO Michael O’Leary has confirmed staff earn €1.50 per flagged oversized bag and is considering raising that bonus alongside tougher carry-on checks
• Bulgaria’s deputy prime minister and transport minister have launched a probe into Goldair Handling’s conduct, ordered airport camera reviews and warned of possible fines