Ryanair has said it plans to reintroduce 40 per cent of its flights from 1 July, subject to travel restrictions being lifted and passenger safety measures being implemented at airports.
The budget carrier has operated just 30 flights a day between Ireland, the UK and Europe since restrictions were imposed in March. From July 1, Ryanair plans to operate almost 1,000 flights a day, which will restore around 90 per cent of its pre-coronavirus routes.
British Airways had announced last week that it would make plans for a “meaningful” return to service on the same date but this is now under review following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of new 14-day quarantine measures for air passenger arrivals which are set to be implemented in the the coming weeks.
Temperature checks, compulsory masks and online check-ins
Ryanair will ask passengers to check in online and bring fewer bags. They will also have to download their boarding pass to a smartphone.
Passengers will have their temperature checked on arrival at the airport and will have to wear a face mask or face covering at all times within the terminal and on the plane.
July 1 is “most practical date” to resume operations
Ryanair chief executive Eddie Wilson said: “After four months, it is time to get Europe flying again, so we can reunite friends and families, allow people to return to work, and restart Europe’s tourism industry, which provides so many millions of jobs.”
He added: “With more than 6 weeks to go to 1 July, Ryanair believes this is the most practical date to resume normal flight schedules, so that we can allow friends and families to reunite, commuters to go back to work, and allow those tourism based economies such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, France and others, to recover what is left of this year’s tourism season.”
Virus combatted through hospital grade air filters and nightly disinfectant
Air filters, similar to those used in critical hospital wards, will be used within planes and all interior surfaces will be disinfected every night. Passengers will not be allowed to queue for the toilet during flights and will have to request access instead.
Cabin crew will wear face masks and limited in-flight pre-packed food and drink service will operate, with all transactions being cashless.
