As an architect, if I design a building that meets current UK building regulations, no ballustrading to stairs, landings, balconies etc must have openings wider than the approximate diameter of a baby's head. Yes, I'd agree it's elf'n'safety'gorn'mad, but it does go to show the different circumstances we operate under. Ryanair depend on their airstairs for keeping airport costs down and turnarounds nice and quick. One more errant toddler and this whole issue could turn round and bite FR very deeply in the derriére..
all good points but to be fair it's a boeing design and so it's a fault on there part and that of the FAA that approved it. And as far as airstairs and quick turn around times, in my experience, if the cost and inconvenience of a second set of portable stairs could be overcome turn arounds would not be delayed in the least.