AN ELDERLY man was unable to board his flight to visit family after the airline refused to accept cash for his baggage fees.

Mike Roberts and his family relocated from New Milton to Malta a few years ago.

Since then, Mike's father-in-law has regularly flown from Bournemouth Airport to visit them.

On October 11, the 79-year-old was dropped off at the airport, ready for his journey.

Mike said: "When he arrived, he was asked to go to the Ryanair desk, which confused him because, as far as he was concerned, he had done this journey many times.

"The woman at the desk was not very helpful and did not explain clearly why he could not get on the flight."

Ryanair said he needed to pay £70 in order to fly, which he agreed to and handed over the money in cash, despite not understanding why.

It transpired the elderly gentleman had brought two bags to the airport, one packed and one empty- resulting in the extra cost.

Mike said: "I don't understand why no one tried to help him. We're not concerned about the cost; we understand it was due to him having an extra bag. But why didn't anyone explain that to him?"

"Ultimately, they refused to let him board because they would not accept cash. He was confused and spoken to very badly.

"I am sickened by the way he has been treated. It is not acceptable and to be honest, I think it's illegal to refuse legal tender."

With no mobile phone to contact his family in Malta, he was forced to leave the airport and wait for a taxi home, which cost £42.

Mike said the experience has discouraged his father-in-law from flying.

However, since the family lives in Malta, it is important for them that his wife's father—and their children's grandfather—come to visit.

After persuading him to catch a flight from Heathrow with Malta Air the following day, Mike's father-in-law arrived just in time for his granddaughter's birthday.

When returning, the size of his bag was a further issue, but he was able to pay in cash in Malta.

Mike has questioned why he couldn't pay using cash from Bournemouth but could from Malta.

Ryanair said the passenger was treated as a no-show on the outbound flight from Bournemouth to Malta on October 11.

The airline said all Ryanair payments are cashless. They must be made via card or app. 

A spokesperson said: “This passenger booked a Basic Fare ticket for this flight from Malta to Bournemouth, operated by Malta Air, which allowed him to carry a small personal bag onboard.

"This passenger attempted to board with an additional 10kg cabin bag and was requested to pay a standard gate baggage fee to carry this additional bag onboard.

"Once payment was made, this passenger travelled on this flight from Malta to Bournemouth."