'Fat Tax'

UK budget airline Ryanair is considering taxing overweight passengers.

The company says a third of over 100,000 survey respondents voted to introduce extra charges for larger passengers.

Ryanair spokesperson Stephen McNamara said: "A 'fat tax' will only apply to those really large passengers who invade the space of those sitting beside them.

"The revenues from any such 'fat tax' will be used to lower the airfares for all Ryanair's passengers."

"The revenues from any such 'fat tax' will be used to lower the airfares for all Ryanair's passengers."

Legally it is not likely the company could introduce such a charge as it would most likely violate UK discrimination laws, or laws to prevent prejudice against disabled people.

The survey - asking which discretionary charges the airline should apply - also found 24 per cent of respondents would pay three Euros to smoke in a converted lavatory cubicle.

Female First, 25th  April 2009