Europe's biggest airline Ryanair said today it will scrap a subscription service after a trial this year as it was not worth it financially.
Ryanair, which carried about 200 million passengers last year, launched a 'Prime member' offering in March, providing fee-paying subscribers with discounts on fares.
But it said in a statement that it was closing it after the scheme generated €4.4m in subscription fees over eight months but gave out €6m in fare discounts.
"This trial has cost more money than it generates," Ryanair chief marketing officer Dara Brady said.
"This level of memberships, or subscription revenue does not justify the time and effort it takes to launch monthly exclusive Prime seat sales," he said.
The trial attracted 55,000 members, who will all be entitled to continue to use their subscription for the duration of their 12-month membership.
The airline said in March that membership would be limited to 250,000 people.
Rival low-cost airline Wizz offers several membership services, while Spanish online travel booking firm eDreams also has a prime service.
