It has emerged that Ryanair is working with aircraft manufacturer Boeing to develop a coin-operated door release system so it can charge customers to use the toilet on short-haul flights lasting less than an hour.

Published: 06 Apr 2010

It has emerged that Ryanair is working with aircraft manufacturer Boeing to develop a coin-operated door release system so it can charge customers to use the toilet on short-haul flights lasting less than an hour.

According to a report filed by Belfast Telegraph, the company plans to charge passengers who travel on flights of one hour or less €1 (87p) or £1 to use the toilet.

Ryanair says it will actively “encourage passengers to use toilet facilities in airport terminals before boarding”.

As per the information available, the current edition of the airline's inflight publication, Ryanair Magazine, outlines details of the plan and says it is working with Boeing to develop a system. If Ryanair were to pursue the toilet charge it would have to fit coin slots on to its fleet of 168 Boeing 737-800s. According to the magazine, the airline is currently “developing the cost-saving option in order to reduce fares, increase efficiencies and reduce costs.”