Ryanair is to increase the fees it charges to check in bags and sporting equipment from 1 October by up to 50%.

The airline is to increase the fee for checking in a bag to £15 from £10 now if booked in advance online and to £30 from £20 now if you pay at the airport.

However, the airline is also changing its baggage policy to allow passengers to take a second bag weighing up to 15kg on payment of an additional fee. The second bag will be charged at £35 if booked on the internet and £70 at the airport. Currently, the airline allows passengers to take up to three bags with a combined weight of 15kg with the second and third bags charges at £20 each one way.

At the same time, the fee for sports equipment will rise by £10 to £40 if booked on the internet and £50 if paid at the airport. The additional charges will make Ryanair less attractive for skiers and snowboarders, who often travel with a suitcase, boot bag and skis or a board.

Ryanair spokesman Stephen McNamara said: “These baggage fees are all avoidable by all passengers who choose to travel with carry on luggage only. Over 70% of Ryanair passengers will be totally unaffected by these changes as they already travel with just one carry on bag, which is free of charge.”

Flight search website Nowfly.co.uk has put together a handy comparison chart which includes the new baggage policy from Ryanair, as well as forthcoming changes to those from British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

Times recommends

• Oasis of the Seas: the Times review
• The 20 best new year party places to stay
• Green Spaces 2009: are you the winning writer?