Ryanair Plans to Return To 40% Flying Capacity in July

Less than two weeks after announcing plans to cut 3,000 jobs, budget airline Ryanair has announced they will return to 40% flying capacity from 1 July subject to travel restrictions being lifted and safety measures being introduced at airports.

All passengers and crew will be required to wear face masks and “effective public health measures” such as temperature checks would be required at airports to ensure passengers are safe to travel. 

Other measures include fewer checked bags, online check-in, digital boarding passes and social distancing where possible.

Michael O’Leary, the head of Ryanair, had previously stated that his planes would not fly with "idiotic" social distancing measures. Instead, the same government guidance that advises wearing face masks in situations where social distancing is not possible should be applied to air travel. 

On board, passengers will be served a limited food and beverage service with only card payment being accepted. Queueing for toilets will also be eliminated with passengers only gaining access with permission from cabin crew members. 

Commenting on the airline’s plans to return, chief executive Eddie Wilson said: “After four months, it is time to get Europe flying again”. Continuing, he stated he hoped the flights would allow the tourism-based economies of Spain, Italy, and France amongst others to recover.