Ryanair admits failure of in-flight entertainment

Ryanair has reportedly abandoned a trial of a new range of in-flight entertainment after admitting that not enough passengers were taking up the offer. As reported, the no-frills carrier has been testing its “digE-player” system, which provided passengers with a hand-held system that allows them to play video games and watch cartoons and films. But, according to The Guardian, the carrier yesterday issued a “terse” statement to the effect that it is discontinuing the service. However, Ryanair clamed that it had suffered “no financial loss whatsoever” because of the failed venture – but it must still be a disappointment, bearing in mind chief executive Michael O’Leary’s prediction that it would generate “enormous sums of money”. The Guardian reports that Ryanair’s rival EasyJet is trialling a similar system on flights to Mediterranean destinations. A spokesman is quoted as saying: “The trail is going very well and we are finding demand to be very strong. But no decision will be made until the trial period is over at the end of April.” Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd www.newsfromabroad.com