London City airport offers ‘dumb phone’ to travellers in digital detox bid

Free “dumb phones” are being offered to passengers flying from London City Airport in a bid to lure them away from attention-sapping smart devices while on holiday.

As part of a “self-imposed smartphone amnesty” travellers will be asked to pledge not to use their iPhones and Android gadgets for at least 48 hours.

Instead, they will be provided with a credit card-sized Light Phone, which can only make and receive calls. Passengers can keep the phone after the holiday.

Airport bosses hope to encourage holidaymakers to detox from “digital distractions” such as social media, apps and work emails. A limited number of the £100 phones are being offered to people who pre-register and are travelling up until August 27. Those chosen can get smartphone calls forwarded to the same number on the basic device.

The offer comes after telecoms watchdog Ofcom found that 78 per cent of British adults own a smartphone, and the average user checks their phone every 12 minutes.

City Airport director Liam McKay said the aim was to “help travellers reduce digital distraction and reclaim those quality moments with family and friends on holiday”.

• Visit londoncityairport.com/smartphoneamnesty