Ryanair said on Monday it would increase charges for passengers checking in bags in a bid to encourage more people to travel with hand luggage only.

Europe's biggest low cost airline said from May 5 passengers who pre-book baggage they want to check in to the hold will be charged 10 euros (USD$15.66), up from 9 euros previously.

Customers booking for their flight at the airport rather than online will also incur an additional check-in charge of 5 euros versus 4 euros previously.

"Ryanair encourages passengers to avoid these charges altogether by travelling with our 10 kg hand luggage allowance and checking in online," it said in a statement.

The company said it would may continue to raise baggage fees until half of its passengers checked in online.