The Strategist

Ryanair to cut flights by 20% in September and October due to new outbreaks of COVID-19



08/18/2020 - 07:19



The Irish low-cost airline Ryanair announced a 20% decrease in passenger traffic in September and October compared to previously planned. This is due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections in some European countries and a decrease in demand for air travel due to this.



pixabay
pixabay
"Advance bookings have dropped significantly in the past 10 days, given the continuing uncertainty over the frequency of COVID-19 infections in some EU countries recently," Ryanair said in a statement. The airline noted that it will be mainly about reducing the number of flights in some directions, and not about the complete cessation of flights to certain points. 

The cut will primarily affect flights to countries such as France, Spain and Sweden, where travel regulations have been tightened due to an increase in the number of infections, as well as to Ireland itself, which, according to the statement, remains severely restricted, including for tourists from countries with a lower infection rate than in Ireland itself.

In August, Ryanair's passenger traffic reached 60% of its usual August level, previously expected to rise to 70% of its usual level in September. In the past few days, several EU countries, including Italy and Spain, have tightened restrictive measures due to the increase in the number of cases.

source: ft.com