Not sillier than charging 2 euros for using an effin' toilet. That's probably unlawful in many places, not sure if they actually implemented it but at least serious PR was happening around it few years back. Imagine if you simply don't have cash on you and your cards ain't working for some reason (or wallet stolen etc).
Luckily for us Ryanair practically ignores our closest airport (Geneva), but due to Swiss air being greedy and corrupty, they prevented Easyjet from having their main airport in Zurich, and Geneva it is. So we get all these nice direct flights to most of Europe, North Africa and Middle east that even Swiss airlines don't cover. Prices are usually fine too, if booked long enough in advance and not during top breaks. Ie recently went to Morocco for some paragliding during easter for like 70 USD. Next best flight would be 4x the cost and 3x the time.
The toilet charge is (and it should be obvious) a marketing ploy — it gets the Ryanair boss interviews in the media, and reminds people that Ryanair is so cheap it's not worth checking the competitors.
Luckily for us Ryanair practically ignores our closest airport (Geneva), but due to Swiss air being greedy and corrupty, they prevented Easyjet from having their main airport in Zurich, and Geneva it is. So we get all these nice direct flights to most of Europe, North Africa and Middle east that even Swiss airlines don't cover. Prices are usually fine too, if booked long enough in advance and not during top breaks. Ie recently went to Morocco for some paragliding during easter for like 70 USD. Next best flight would be 4x the cost and 3x the time.