Budget airline Ryanair says it plans to ban passengers from taking checked-in luggage on board its planes within a couple of years.

"The objective is to get rid of hold baggage altogether," said Mr O'Leary, with passengers restricted to carry-on baggage only. This could cut its airport costs by a third within two to three years, it said.

Already fewer than 50% of Ryanair passengers had check in baggage, Mr O'Leary said, with the average stay away being only two-and-a-quarter days.

"If you want to carry more, then fly with more expensive airlines," he said.