Airline in talks with UK telecoms operators

Ryanair has said it is in talks with telecoms networks operators in the UK about launching its own mobile phone business in that market.

The airline said it may sell mobile phone connections over the internet.

Ryanair's deputy chief executive, Michael Cawley, said the airline was talking to potential partners for the business, which may not necessarily use the airline's brand.

Ryanair held initial talks with 3UK, owned by Hutchinson Whampoa, but no agreement has been reached.

Ryanair's rival, easyJet, has introduced its own-brand mobile phone service in Britain. Richard Branson's Virgin group also has its own mobile phone business.

Ryanair continues to boost its earnings from ancillary businesses, selling insurance, car hire and hotel bookings on its website.

Mr Cawley said Ryanair is looking at some gambling products as well.

This is very much at the embryonic stage, he said.

Ryanair yesterday announced five new routes from London to Poland and Slovakia. From October 30th, it will operate daily flights from Stansted to Gdansk, Bydgoszcz, Szczecin and Rzeszow in Poland and a twice-daily route to Bratislava.