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iPads help airline shed two tons of in-flight entertainment gear

Singapore-based airline Scoot Pte saved itself a lot of money by ripping out the TV-based entertainment systems from its planes and replacing them with iPads. The airliner removed more than two tons of equipment and managed to shave 7 percent off the weight of its planes, says a report in Bloomberg.

The biggest savings, though, will be in fuel costs as the lighter planes consume less jet fuel. Fuel makes up about 35 percent of airline operating costs, so the savings could be significant for this upstart airline. Scoot will recoup some of the cost of the iPads by charging customers S$22 (US$17) to rent the tablets during a flight. Business-class customers will receive an in-flight iPad for free. Each iPad will include pre-loaded movies, music, TV shows and games.