easyJet has said that it is resuming flights from 22 airports across Europe for the first time since operations ceased at the end of March following efforts to mitigate the pandemic.
The majority of flights during June will be on domestic routes. The airline is planning to fly around 55 per cent of its Bristol routes in July and 80 per cent in August, with a lower frequency of flights. The move will allow customers to enjoy a summer holiday to a wide variety of city and beach destinations including the city staples of Paris and Barcelona; summer sun favourites the Balearics and Canary Islands and lively hotspots in Portugal, Greece and Croatia.
Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK Country Manager commented: ‘We are really pleased to be relaunching our flights from Bristol and welcoming customers back onboard today. While we are starting with a small number of flights this will build over the coming weeks to cover around 55% of our Bristol routes in July and 80% in August. This is good news for customers wanting to go on their planned holiday over the summer or wishing to book a break away.
‘Of course, the safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew remains our highest priority. This is why we have implemented a number of measures enhancing safety at each part of the journey from disinfecting the aircraft to requiring customers and crew to wear masks. These measures will remain in place for as long as is needed to ensure customers and crew are able to fly safely as the world continues to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.’
Nigel Scott, Business Development Director, Bristol Airport said: ‘We are delighted to see easyJet flights return to Bristol Airport. The Belfast route opens up travel opportunities for essential key workers needing to easily access Northern Ireland using their local airport. We liaise closely with Government, Department for Transport and Public Health England on the latest information and guidance for customers.
‘We are working closely with easyJet to expand the routes available in the future from Bristol Airport when the time is right.’
A new range of additional measures are in place to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of all customers and crew onboard. These include enhanced aircraft cleaning and disinfection; customers, cabin crew and ground crew will be required to wear masks; and equipping the aircraft with spare sanitary equipment including masks, gloves and hand sanitiser to ensure these are available to customers and crew at all times onboard.
Customers will be able to practice social distancing in the airports, at gates and during boarding. Onboard, and where possible, customers may be able to sit at distance where seats are available. There will also initially be no food service onboard flights, all of which operate on a short-haul network.
The measures have been implemented in consultation with aviation authorities ICAO and EASA, and in line with relevant national authorities and medical advice through the airline’s chief medical adviser, Bristol said.
