New rollercoaster-style 'standing seats' could be on planes as soon as 2026
Flights could be equipped with new standing seats from as early as 2026, according to a new report.
Bike-style padded seats called 'Skyrider 2.0' allow passengers to lean at an angle without completely sitting down while in-flight.
These seats have been unveiled online and are reported to be operational as early as next year. SkyRider 2.0. Pic: Aviointeriors
Manufactured by Aviointeriors, the specially-designed seats have been revealed on Instagram. Their implementation would allow for a 20 percent overall increase in passenger capacity.
No major airlines have yet given official indications they will use the seats aboard their fleets of aircraft, but the invention could prove transformative for the aviation industry in the coming years. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary. Pic: Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images
Notoriously self-styled as the 'no frills airline', Michael O'Leary and Ryanair may be viewed as the ideal candidates for a test run.
Ryanair CEO O'Leary has had recent grapples with the Irish government over seasonal passenger caps at Dublin Airport.
The introduction of standing seats – allowing more travellers per flight – could have a bearing on future logistics during busy periods at Dublin Airport and other busy entry points into the country. It could have a positive bearing on airline profits additionally.
The new product was launched at in 2018 at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, following an initial failure to get the original model off the ground in 2010.
Aviointeriors described their product as 'innovative' and gave a nod to how its adoption by major airlines could see them rake in the profits.
'Its main feature is the original bottom that ensures an increased upright passenger positon allowing installation of the seat at a reduced pitch, while maintaining an adequate comfort,' they said. 'The design of this seat enables [carriers] to increase the passenger number by 20 per cent allowing increasing profits for airline companies.'
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Irish Independent
25 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Two crew members of MV Matthew were ‘completely expendable' court hears
Det Superintendent Keith Halley told the three-judge court that Englishman Jamie Harbron was on the 'lowest rung' in the criminal enterprise to transport the massive drugs haul across the Atlantic, into Europe. Harbron was hired as a deck hand on board the Castlemore, an Irish ship which was supposed to meet the MV Matthew and take the drugs to the UK, the detective said. Under cross-examination, Det Halley told Harbron's defence counsel, Michael O'Higgins SC, that Harbron's jobs appeared to include 'greasing things up' or tidying the ship. He did not appear to be a 'competent or good deck hand,' Supt Halley said. He couldn't operate the radio, find the life vests or secure a tow rope thrown from a coastguard boat in an attempt to rescue the vessel. Having been on rough seas from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening, Harbron was 'very sick' and told gardai he believed he was going to die. Harbron was finally winched to safety by a coastguard helicopter and was 'very, very grateful' to his rescuers, the Superintendent said. When the Dubai-based organisers of the criminal enterprise realised the Castlemore had run aground, they initially told the ship's captain, Vitaliy Lapa, not to call the coastguard. They then removed the Castlemore from the virtual chat room used to communicate with the vessels and told the MV Matthew they would find another boat to make the rendezvous. Supt Halley agreed that this indicated Harbron and Lapa were 'completely expendable'. Harbron appeared to have become involved in the plot at the last minute and had told gardai that he was promised €10,000 would be wiped off a €20,000 drug debt. Lapa, the detective said, speaks no English and the two men communicated using Google Translate. The Dubai-based leadership had an 'erroneous belief' that the messages they had sent to the Castlemore would automatically delete after one hour, Supt Halley said. However, gardai retrieved the messages, which were used as part of the evidence in the case. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Eight men have pleaded guilty to offences arising from the seizure of €157 million worth of drugs on board the MV Matthew. Members of the Irish Army Rangers wing of the Defence Forces boarded the ship on September 26, 2022 in a daring mission in rough seas as the MV Matthew manoeuvred to try to evade capture. The ship had departed from Curacao, off the Venezuelan coast and sailed across the Atlantic before arriving in Irish territorial waters. Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk (32) and Vitaliy Vlasoi (33); Iranians Soheil Jelveh (52) and Saeid Hassani (40); Filipino Harold Estoesta (31) and Dutch national Cumali Ozgen (50) pleaded guilty that between September 24 and 26 2023, both dates inclusive, at locations outside the State, on board the vessel 'MV Matthew' they possessed cocaine for sale or supply, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa (62), with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, and Jamie Harbron (31) of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK pleaded guilty that on dates between September 21 and 25, 2023 they attempted to possess cocaine for sale or supply, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Lawyers for all eight today asked the court to be as lenient as possible in sentencing. For mitigation, they rely on their guilty pleas and the fact that their time in prison will be spent in a foreign country away from their families. None of those before the court were the leaders of the criminal organisation involved in transporting the drugs but were hired to perform specific roles on the two ships, lawyers said. The only defendant with a record of offending is Jamie Harbron, whose convictions include cannabis and cocaine possession in the UK. Lawyers for the others submitted that their clients were of good character before this offence, but they 'succumbed' to temptation, hoping to resolve various financial difficulties. Brendan Grehan SC, for Kumali Ozgen, said his client's job on board the MV Matthew was to 'mind the cargo'. He was, counsel said, the 'eyes and ears' of those directing the operation from Dubai and had no seafaring experience. Ozgen admitted to gardai that he loaded crates of drugs onto the ship and used paint thinners to try to burn the drugs when the Irish Navy began its pursuit. He also said he was to be paid €50,000 to €100,000 if successful, but has received nothing. Mr Grehan said Ozgen took the job in a 'misguided attempt' to provide for his family, in particular his son, who suffers from poor health. Hugh Hartnett SC, for Gavryk, said his client was of excellent character before this offence. Michael Hourigan SC, for Estoesta, said his client had provided gardai with valuable information, including that when the drugs were loaded onto the MV Matthew, ordinary crew members were plied with alcohol to distract them. Mark Lynam SC for Hassani, said this was the first time his client was involved in 'anything of this kind'. He had been a sailor of good character all his life but 'succumbed to temptation', believing the money from this job would allow him to spend more time with his wife and family. Colman Cody SC, for Lapa, said his client was a hard-working, law-abiding citizen and a loving husband and father. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Lapa found himself in a 'vulnerable financial position'. Despite having retired as a fishing captain, he was compelled to go abroad to provide for his family. 'He was vulnerable to certain pressures, and that ought to be taken into account,' counsel said. Paul O'Higgins SC, for Vlasoi, said his client was the first officer on the boat but had led a blameless life before. He had limited knowledge of the operation, counsel said. Keivon Sotoodeh BL, for Jelveh, said his client was the captain of the MV Matthew but was acting on orders from Dubai. The court previously heard that Jelveh became frustrated with the instructions he was receiving and called the coastguard for an emergency medical evacuation. A coastguard helicopter lifted Jelveh from the MV Matthew before the ship was engaged by Irish Naval vessel the LE William Butler Yeats. Ms Justice Melanie Greally, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Grainne Malone, will deliver the sentences on July 4.
Irish Times
36 minutes ago
- Irish Times
European shares rise amid German tax relief package approval
European stocks closed higher on Wednesday, buoyed by German cabinet approval of a €46 billion corporate tax relief package aimed at kick-starting growth. The relief package, the first of a broader series of measures from Berlin's new government, is an attempt to prevent the struggling economy from shrinking for a third consecutive year. Meanwhile, trade talks between the US and Europe are progressing, according to European negotiators, who added that the doubling of US metals tariffs, which kicked in on Wednesday, are not helping negotiations. The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed up 0.5 per cent after briefly touching a one-week high. READ MORE DUBLIN The Iseq All-Share Index dipped 0.7 per cent to 11,371.66, dragged down by banking stocks as sector followers positioned themselves ahead of the European Central Bank's (ECB) rates-setting meeting on Thursday, at which it is expected to lower official borrowing costs again. AIB lost 3.7 per cent to €6.82, while Bank of Ireland dipped 2.7 per cent to €11.98. Still, Ires Reit edged 1.7 per cent higher, as property stocks typically fare better when rates fall. Ryanair edged 1 per cent higher to €23.74. Chief executive Michael O'Leary disclosed late on Tuesday that he has sold €21 million worth of shares in the company that were held in a pension scheme connected to him. LONDON The FTSE 100 index closed up 0.2 per cent, helped by news that the S&P Global UK services purchasing managers' business activity index rose to 50.9 points in May from 49.0 in April, improving upon the flash reading of 50.2 released late last month, and above the 50.0 no-change threshold. Babcock International, an aerospace, defence and nuclear engineering services company, gained 4.3 per cent amid further consideration of the UK defence spending review this week. DiscoverIE Group jumped 15 per cent after reporting higher profit and an increased dividend. The designer and manufacturer of electronic components for industrial applications said pretax profit was £32 million (€38 million) in the financial year ended March 31st, up 44 per cent on the year. But B&M European Retail struggled, falling 14 per cent as its annual results failed to inspire investors. Brent oil was lower at $64.65 (€65.58) a barrel at the time of the London equities close on Wednesday, compared to $65.73 dollars on Tuesday. EUROPE Most European sectors rose, with technology leading gains. The food and beverages sector rose, buoyed by a 6.4 per cent rise in Campari. Among individual movers, Airbus SE shares rose 2.2 per cent after Bloomberg News reported Chinese airlines are considering ordering hundreds of aircraft as soon as next month. STMicroelectronics jumped 11.1 per cent after its chief executive said the French-Italian chipmaker has seen signs of an upturn. NEW YORK Wall Street shares were ahead in early afternoon trading and US treasury – or bond – yields were lower as investors monitored movement in trade negotiations and looked ahead to Friday's critical US employment report. On the economic front, payrolls processor ADP reported the US private sector added 37,000 jobs last month, or 69.2 per cent fewer than analysts expect the Labor Department's more comprehensive employment report to show on Friday. Additionally, survey data showed the US services sector slipped into contraction last month, while prices paid – an inflation predictor – hit the highest level since November 2022. Shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise rose as demand for the company's artificial-intelligence servers and hybrid cloud segment helped it beat estimates for second-quarter revenue and profit. GlobalFoundries inched higher after the chip manufacturer announced plans to increase its investments to $16 billion. Tesla dropped. The electric-vehicle maker's sales fell for the fifth straight month in big European markets. Shares of cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike slumped after it forecast quarterly revenue below estimates. Dollar Tree fell as the discount store operator forecast second-quarter adjusted profit could drop as much as 50 per cent from a year ago due to tariff-driven volatility. – Additional reporting, Reuters, PA
RTÉ News
40 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Two MV Matthew crew were 'completely expendable', court told
Two men who were to take 2.25 tonnes of cocaine from the MV Matthew and bring it to the UK were so expendable that when their ship ran aground in rough seas, their employers deleted them from a group chat and planned to complete the operation without them, the Special Criminal Court has heard. Det Superintendent Keith Halley told the three-judge court that Englishman Jamie Harbron was on the "lowest rung" in the criminal enterprise to transport the massive drugs haul across the Atlantic, into Europe. Harbron was hired as a deck hand on board the Castlemore, an Irish ship which was supposed to meet the MV Matthew and take the drugs to the UK, the detective said. Under cross-examination, Det Halley told Harbron's defence counsel, Michael O'Higgins SC, that Harbron's jobs appeared to include "greasing things up" or tidying the ship. He did not appear to be a "competent or good deck hand," Supt Halley said. He could not operate the radio, find the life vests or secure a tow rope thrown from a coastguard boat in an attempt to rescue the vessel. Having been on rough seas from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening, Harbron was "very sick" and told gardaí he believed he was going to die. Harbron was finally winched to safety by a coastguard helicopter and was "very, very grateful" to his rescuers, the superintendent said. When the Dubai-based organisers of the criminal enterprise realised the Castlemore had run aground, they initially told the ship's captain, Vitaliy Lapa, not to call the coastguard. They then removed the Castlemore from the virtual chat room used to communicate with the vessels and told the MV Matthew they would find another boat to make the rendezvous. Supt Halley agreed that this indicated Harbron and Lapa were "completely expendable". Harbron appeared to have become involved in the plot at the last minute and had told gardaí that he was promised €10,000 would be wiped off a €20,000 drug debt. Lapa, the detective said, speaks no English and the two men communicated using Google Translate. The Dubai-based leadership had an "erroneous belief" that the messages they had sent to the Castlemore would automatically delete after one hour, Supt Halley said. However, gardaí retrieved the messages, which were used as part of the evidence in the case. Eight men have pleaded guilty to offences arising from the seizure of €157 million worth of drugs on board the MV Matthew. Members of the Irish Army Rangers wing of the Defence Forces boarded the ship on 26 September 2023 in a daring mission in rough seas as the MV Matthew manoeuvred to try to evade capture. The ship had departed from Curacao, off the Venezuelan coast and sailed across the Atlantic before arriving in Irish territorial waters. Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk, 32, and Vitaliy Vlasoi, 33, Iranians Soheil Jelveh, 52, and Saeid Hassani, 40, Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31, and Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 50, pleaded guilty that between 24 and 26 September 2023, both dates inclusive, at locations outside the State, on board the vessel MV Matthew, they possessed cocaine for sale or supply, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, and Jamie Harbron, 31, of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK pleaded guilty that on dates between 21 and 25 September 2023 they attempted to possess cocaine for sale or supply, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Lawyers for all eight today asked the court to be as lenient as possible in sentencing. For mitigation, they rely on their guilty pleas and the fact that their time in prison will be spent in a foreign country away from their families. None of those before the court were the leaders of the criminal organisation involved in transporting the drugs but were hired to perform specific roles on the two ships, lawyers said. The only defendant with a record of offending is Jamie Harbron, whose convictions include cannabis and cocaine possession in the UK. Lawyers for the others submitted that their clients were of good character before this offence, but they "succumbed" to temptation, hoping to resolve various financial difficulties. Brendan Grehan SC, for Kumali Ozgen, said his client's job on board the MV Matthew was to "mind the cargo". He was, counsel said, the "eyes and ears" of those directing the operation from Dubai and had no seafaring experience. Ozgen admitted to gardaí that he loaded crates of drugs onto the ship and used paint thinners to try to burn the drugs when the Irish Navy began its pursuit. He also said he was to be paid €50,000 to €100,000 if successful, but has received nothing. Mr Grehan said Ozgen took the job in a "misguided attempt" to provide for his family, in particular his son, who suffers from poor health. Hugh Hartnett SC, for Gavryk, said his client was of excellent character before this offence. Michael Hourigan SC, for Estoesta, said his client had provided gardai with valuable information, including that when the drugs were loaded onto the MV Matthew, ordinary crew members were plied with alcohol to distract them. Mark Lynam SC for Hassani said this was the first time his client was involved in "anything of this kind". He had been a sailor of good character all his life but "succumbed to temptation", believing the money from this job would allow him to spend more time with his wife and family. Colman Cody SC, for Lapa, said his client was a hard-working, law-abiding citizen and a loving husband and father. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Lapa found himself in a "vulnerable financial position". Despite having retired as a fishing captain, he was compelled to go abroad to provide for his family. "He was vulnerable to certain pressures, and that ought to be taken into account," counsel said. Paul O'Higgins SC, for Vlasoi, said his client was the first officer on the boat but had led a blameless life before. He had limited knowledge of the operation, counsel said. Keivon Sotoodeh BL, for Jelveh, said his client was the captain of the MV Matthew but was acting on orders from Dubai. The court previously heard that Jelveh became frustrated with the instructions he was receiving and called the coastguard for an emergency medical evacuation. A coastguard helicopter lifted Jelveh from the MV Matthew before the ship was engaged by Irish Naval vessel the LE William Butler Yeats. Ms Justice Melanie Greally, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Gráinne Malone, will deliver the sentences on 4 July.
