Easyjet has announced plans to operate the majority of its route network by August, albeit at significantly reduced frequencies.
Last month the carrier announced it would resume selected flights from June 15, intially focusing on domestic flying in the UK and France.
The airline now says it plans to operate 50 per cent of its routes in July, increasing to 75 per cent in August. But flight frequencies will equate to only 30 per cent of Easyjet’s normal July to August capacity.
The airline says it will fly from all of its UK bases in July and August, to a range of domestic, city and beach destinations including Paris, Milan, Rome, the Balearics and Canary Islands, “lively and culturally rich hotspots in Italy, Croatia and Portugal”, and destinations in Egypt and Morocco.
Easyjet is promoting the return to service with what it says is its “biggest ever summer sale”, with over one million flights starting from £29.99, for travel between July 1 and October 31.
The airline recently published new health and hygiene measures, which are being implemented “in consultation with aviation authorities ICAO and EASA, and in line with government and medical advice”. These include:
- Customers, cabin and ground crew being required to wear masks
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of Easyjet aircraft
- Availability of disinfectant wipes and hand sanitiser onboard
- Initially, no onboard food service
Commenting on the news Robert Carey, chief commercial and planning officer at Easyjet said:
“We are delighted to announce that we will be flying the majority of our route network across Europe, meaning customers can still get to their chosen destination for their summer holidays this year.
“We’re passionate about helping our customers get back flying, which is why we’re offering one million seats at £29.99 for those planning on booking a holiday this summer. Travel restrictions are being lifted and demand is starting to return, so there’s no better time for us to introduce this sale.”
Easyjet grounded its entire fleet at the end of March, and has taken a number of steps to help see it through the current crisis.
In April the carrier secured a £600 million loan from the Covid Corporate Financing Facility, and it has deferred delivery of at least 24 Airbus aircraft which it was due to receive over the next three years.
Last week Easyjet announced plans to cut up to 30 per cent of its workforce, as the carrier warns it may take three years to return to 2019 levels of demand.