News

Monday, 31 August 2009 03:34

While the world is feeling the effects of the global economic crisis and airlines are scrapping many of their less profitable routes to try to save money, one airline has found a novel way to boost its income. Ryanair Holdings PLC, the Irish owned provider of cheap flights across Europe, despite having to follow suit and similarly close some of their routes due to the hefty airport charges they face have decided to offer the facility for its passengers to play online casino games whilst flying on their planes.

Ryanair built its business by offering no frills flights for heavily discounted fares. They kept costs to a bare minimum by eliminating airport check-in, banning checked luggage, imposing a 15kg weight limit on hold luggage per person and removing all free in-flight meals and complimentary drinks. They brought a whole new meaning to the term "economy passenger."

However, rising fuel costs and rising airport charges have caused many smaller airlines to fold with passenger numbers down due to the recession. By providing the ability to play online casino games whilst in the air, their passengers who are enjoying their cheap fares will be tempted to add to the cost by providing Ryanair with some additional revenue while keeping themselves entertained.

This is actually a brilliant idea and one that is catching on fast. Passengers get bored very quickly whilst flying especially when there are no meals to break up the monotony of the flight. What better way to make the flight go quickly than by getting into some great online casino games? If the flight is more than a few hours, finding something to do that is entertaining as well as exciting will certainly be a big hit with passengers used to trying to sleep, often unsuccessfully. Those that try to read a book rarely get to do so in peace. However, playing a few games of online roulette or blackjack will certainly make those hours literally fly past!

Online gambling, once the plane is in international airspace is every bit as legal as it is on cruise ships sailing in international waters. That removes any chance of lawsuits being filed against the company and passengers are able to enjoy playing the games whether they play for fun or for real money. The choice is theirs, just as it would be were they playing from home.

Just think of the ramifications of US airline picking up on this for flights that take them outside US airspace. If they could offer passengers cut price tickets, especially on long haul flights, they would be overwhelmed by enthusiastic takers!