Ryanair has done away with all its check in counters and will charge 40 GBP to any customer who forgets to check in online. They claim it's the fee to reissue the ticket but also say it will save the 50 million GBP a year. Now, every passenger has to pay to check in.
The UK fair standards people are looking into this claiming you have paid for a ticket which is a valid contract of carriage. Except, now, the airline wants to charge you extra to carry out that contract. It may be illegal.
EasyJet and Air Berlin said they will keep their check in desks.