In-flight phone service launched in Italy

Thursday April 23rd , 2009

Frequent flyers to Italy will soon be able to use in-flight mobile phone services, according to Ryanair.

The low-fare airline is set to allow passengers on Italian flights to send and receive mobile phone communications from this week.

Five Rome-based aeroplanes will now allow tourists and Italy property owners to make calls and send texts while in mid-air.

Speaking in Rome, chief executive Michael O'Leary said the mobile service would allow travellers to keep in touch with family, friends and business associates while flying.

He commented: "We expect customer demand for this service to grow rapidly and hope that customers on all our flights will soon be able to call or text from 30,000 feet."

The low-fare airline has teamed up with 50 European phone networks to develop Italy's first in-flight service.

Ryanair flies to a number of Italian destinations including Palermo, Bari and Pisa.