Budget airlines such as Ryanair always look for new income streams.
Ryanair has announced a deal that will let its passengers make calls on mobile phones and use handheld devices such as Blackberries whilst in flight.

It has signed up Onair, part owned by Airbus maker EADS, to allow mobile use on all its Boeing 737 aircraft.

Passengers will be charged a roaming fee by mobile service provider, with Ryanair taking a slice of the income.

If it gets regulatory approval, the scheme will be introduced by the middle of next year.

"This is another revolutionary passenger service initiative," said Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary.

"We will soon enable passengers to use their mobile phones and electronic communications devices in the air, just as they do on the ground."

Ryanair shares climbed on the news of the potential extra source of revenue.

But with aeroplanes one of the few places where mobile phones and ringtones have not yet permeated, the policy may annoy some passengers. There are worries that passengers bellowing "Hello, I'm on the plane" into their handsets could make for unpleasant journeys.