Ryanair gambling on giving away its seats
Fancy a flutter when you fly?
Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary says the no-frills carrier is hoping to sign a partnership with a gaming company to introduce inflight gambling in a move which could mean passengers travel for free on Europe’s largest carrier.
O’Leary said his bold plan to introduce an airborne Las Vegas could see Ryanair give away between 50 per cent and 100 per cent of seats.
At present around 25 per cent are handed out for free. Seemingly unconcerned about the prospect of increased air rage from disgruntled punters who may land up worse off than they were when they began their flight, O’Leary said: “Ultimately, entertainment will be where the money is. It would transform ancillary revenues and profits. We’ll probably announce a gambling partner in the next two to three months.”
As well as its ideas for passenger gaming, Ryanair already generates ancillary revenues from services such as hotel bookings and car hire.
The company is due to report half-year earnings on 7 November and yesterday announced it was offering another 2m free seats, a move clearly design to pile pressure on full-service carriers such as British Airways, which have slapped fuel surcharges on ticket prices.
Ryanair’s fuel position is fully hedged until March and has refused to impose a surcharge, hoping to lure passengers away from rivals with its low fares and free tickets.