Many years ago I've learnt the basics of Russian, so today I was able to understand the
text about Russians travelling with Ryanair. Potentially lucrative business for low-cost carriers? Well, Russians in general are keen to use Ryanair planes. Some of them come from Russia, others live in Latvia or Estonia and (still) use Russian passports - and they want to experience Europe.
The issue with Russians originates from the "Web Check-In" system. Maybe not elsewhere in Europe, but at least in Riga the citizens of Russia are being denied this check-in option while using Russian passports.
The Irish airline is sending them into long queue requiring the additional payments for the airport check-in. While other travelers have the opportunity to avoid long queues and save a lot of time and nerves (and some money as well), Russians can't. And they protest.
"Such are the EU requirements!" -- claims in a telephone interview with the newspaper the Regional Manager for Northern Europe Ryanair William Hamilton. When asked about the details of the document, Mr. Hamilton only asked to give him the flight data and the name of the protesting passenger, then he just didn't answered the calls.
Today, however, he'll arrive in Riga and is expected to give a press conference there.
The issue is sensitive, other airlines do not place such obstacles during the online check-in.
And in fact nobody knows why such a limit exists in Latvia. One of the Latvian ministers says: "This is a private business company. We do not interfere in it."
"This is a matter of Latvian legislation, the airport does not have the right to decide - assures the spokesperson of the airport - Perhaps this is the competence of the Ministry of the Interior…"
In the Ministry of Internal Affairs, however, they say: "It is not our jurisdiction".
And so on, and so on. Just read it, if you can. But if you do understand this text, try to look at the readers' opinions. The publicity FR is getting on this occasion is not a favourable one, very clearly so.