Ryanair launches mobile technology from Britain's airports

Ryanair will begin trialling a scheme to allow passengers flying from UK hubs such as Birmingham Airport to use their mobiles and other portable devices in-flight, according to reports.

The budget carrier will include the technology on 14 of its 166 planes, reports the Times, with miniature masts allowing customers to make and receive calls and text messages.

Ryanair has said it will expand the technology across its entire fleet if the trial is successful but has not yet released details of which routes will include the new service.

A recent poll by the newspaper reported 87 per cent of people were against the use of mobile phones on planes due to the annoyance it can cause to passengers.

The airline is working in conjunction with OnAir, which is developing similar technologies for a number of other carriers worldwide.

In May, Qatar Airways banned mobile use on its flights as it was concerned with possibility of air rage.

Posted by Graham Greenaway on the 26/09/2008 14:08:41
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