Passengers flying with budget airline Ryanair through Leeds-Bradford International Airport will have to pay more after Europe's largest low cost airline raised its charges for checked-in baggage and introduced higher check-in fees for all new bookings.

And there will be more increases to come as Ryanair intends to get 50 per cent of its passengers to travel with hand luggage only and use its free online check-in services.

This will result in Ryanair cutting the number of airport check-in desks which it rents at airports around the UK and will lead to fewer check-in staff being employed by the airline.

Ryanair's checked-in baggage fee has increased from £5 to £6 a bag and the airport check-in fee has risen from £2 to £3. The airline says passengers can avoid these charges by using its 10kg hand luggage allowance and checking in free of charge on-line, which also offers free priority boarding.

Ryanair's Peter Sherrard said: "Ryanair remains determined to encourage more and more passengers to travel with carry on luggage only, which allows them to use our free of charge web check-in, skip airport queues and enjoy our priority boarding service free of charge.

"The airline had seen huge increases in the numbers of passengers using its internet check-in since this was made free of charge last September and the increased charges would encourage more passengers to use the web check-in service. This would enable Ryanair to cut airport and handling costs and further reduce its guaranteed lowest fares.

"Ryanair expects to grow from 50 million to 60 million passengers in the coming year."