Ryanair plans to stop passengers checking in baggage next year but will allow two or more pieces of carry-on luggage, as it steps up its drive to reduce airport handling costs.

The Irish carrier, the biggest short-haul airline in Europe by number of passengers, is making radical changes to airport check-in procedures, which could eventually force other airlines to follow its lead for short-haul, point-to-point flights, as it reinforces its competitive position as the lowest-cost and lowest-fare carrier in Europe.