8 August 2008
Low cost airline Ryanair has said it hopes to launch an in-flight mobile phone service next week, allowing passengers to use their mobile phones while flying. So far, ten aircraft have been fitted with the technology needed to host mobile phone calls and once final regulatory clearance has been received the service can begin operating, the Telegraph reports. "We will then roll out the service to the rest of our aircraft in Dublin, and then to other European bases, possibly beginning with Stansted," Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary told the newspaper. He said standard international roaming charges would apply for those making calls or sending text messages while on Ryanair flights. The move follows a similar one by the Dubai-based airline Emirates, which launched an in-flight mobile phone service on some of its aircraft earlier this year and is set to expand the system across the rest of its fleet. Meanwhile, lawmakers in the US are set to vote on legislation that would ban the use of mobile phones on aircraft amid concerns over passenger disturbance and discomfort.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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