Can I skip Ryanair's separate visa check for non-EU citizens as per the EU air passenger rights regulation?
Ryanair (and several other low-cost carriers) require that non-EU/EEA citizens present their passport for a visa check at the luggage counter:
Irrespective of a passenger's visa requirements, all non EU/EEA citizens must have their travel documents checked and stamped at the Ryanair Visa/Document Check Desk before going through airport security.
However this seems to conflict with EU's Air Passenger Rights regulation, which only lists the following reasons for denying boarding:
Paragraph 1 shall apply on the condition that passengers:
(a) have a confirmed reservation on the flight concerned and, except in the case of cancellation referred to in Article 5, present themselves for check-in,
— as stipulated and at the time indicated in advance and in writing (including by electronic means) by the air carrier, the tour operator or an authorised travel agent,
So as long as I present myself to the gate (with a passport and valid visa) at the specified time, the airline is obligated to either allow me to board or cancel my booking and issue compensation as per the EU passenger rights?
As @Moo mentioned in his answer, I may also be denied boarding for:
reasons of health, safety or security, or inadequate travel documentation
But if I have a passport and a valid visa, is my travel documentation "inadequate"?
Best Answer
Probably no, not by using that regulation, because the regulation has the following definition 2(j):
"denied boarding" means a refusal to carry passengers on a flight, although they have presented themselves for boarding under conditions laid down in Article 3(2), except where there are reasonable grounds to deny them boarding, such as reasons of health, safety or security, or inadequate travel documentation
As noted in the comments, by default you do not have adequate travel documentation until it has been verified as such - the airline is liable for your removal costs in the event that they land you and your are not eligible for entry into that country, hence the ability to deny you boarding for lack of adequate travel documentation.
The airline is always going to take the belt and braces approach in this instance, because the financial penalty is significant, and not allowing a refusal in such a case would mean the EU is basically forcing airlines to take ineligible passengers at their own cost.
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Does Ryanair check visa?
Irrespective of a passenger's visa requirements, all non-EU/EEA citizens must have their travel documents checked and stamped at the Ryanair Visa/Document Check Desk before going through airport security.Why will Ryanair not let me check-in?
You may not be able to check-in online where you purchased your flight through a third party website such as an online travel agent (OTA) which is not authorized by us to use our website or app to offer our flights for sale, and which does so in breach of the Terms of Use of our website (including the mobile app and ...How do I avoid Ryanair check-in fee?
Here are some of the ways to avoid incurring further costs at check-in when you travel with Ryanair:How do you un check-in on Ryanair?
Changing a flight after you're already checked inEnter new date of travel and search for flights. Choose your new flight. To confirm the change, click \u201cContinue\u201d. This will un-check you in from your original flight(s).Ryanair Review: How to fly with Ryan Air - and not get ripped off!
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Answer 2
I had the experience of one time not getting the stamp and was told it's okay this time but make sure to get one next time.
The thing is, it's really unnecessary to make someone go through an additional line for absolutely no reason. They do check it at the gate anyway. One time I went to get my stamp in Berlin, and the woman at the desk decided to leave her post and disappear for 10 minutes. The other lines were for checking in baggage, so I wasn't about to wait in those. I just got inconvenienced for a stamp that means pretty much nothing to anyone but Ryanair employees.
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