Ryanair confirms further cuts to schedules
Ryanair is cutting flight schedules by more than 80% from tonight and says it could ground all flights early next week.
It said from midnight on March 24, it expects that ‘most if not all’ Ryanair Group flights will be grounded, except for a very small number of flights to maintain essential connectivity, mostly between the UK and Ireland.
It urged affected customers not to call because call centres are overloaded dealing with queries. Instead, it said customers will receive an email.
"Over the past few days, the spread of the Covid-19 virus has led most EU Governments to impose severe travel bans and restrictions, which have had a negative impact on the schedules of all Ryanair Airlines, causing widespread cancellations and travel disruptions across the network.
"We advise customers considering travel that all Government travel restrictions must be followed. The situation changes on a daily basis, and we encourage customers to check relevant local guidelines issued by their Government before they travel, and our Travel Advisory page for more information on country-specific restrictions."
Ryanair said it will continue to stay in close contact with the Foreign Ministries of all EU Governments on the repatriation of EU citizens, and where possible may operate rescue flights to support this repatriation.
"Ryanair sincerely regrets all disruptions caused by this unprecedented Covid-19 crisis," it said.
"The safety and well-being of our people and customers is our main priority and we will continue to comply with all WHO and EASA guidelines, as well as all Government travel restrictions which have been imposed over recent days to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
"All our thoughts and prayers are with our people and our customers and their families as we work our way through this crisis."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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