Wednesday, November 02 14:19:34

(BizWorld)

Irish low-cost airline, Ryanair, is planning to trial in-flight gambling by spring 2007, chief executive Michael O`Leary told a news briefing today.

He said the experiment, which will also include in-flight arcade games, will come around 12 months after the carrier trials on-board mobile phone use next spring.

Last April, Ryanair abandoned its first experiment in paid-for in-flight entertainment involving Hollywood films and kids cartoons after passengers showed reluctance to pay for what had once been a free service.

O`Leary said the decision to trial in-flight gambling using portable consoles follows the phenomenal success of its scratch card offer. He dismissed the suggestion that the roll-out of gambling might discourage families from flying Ryanair.

``We recognise your right to object, but good luck, somebody else will have your seat,`` he said. O`Leary was speaking after the airline launched a two-million ``free`` seat sale.