AIRLINES struggling to cope with the travel restrictions caused by coronavirus are being forced to ground planes and temporarily layoff staff.
Today it was announced that EasyJet are grounding 100 aircraft across Europe, British Airways are cutting 75 per cent of flights in April and May, Norwegian are cancelling 85 per cent of flights, Virgin Atlantic are scrapping 80 per cent of flights by March 26 and Ryanair now expects to reduce its seat capacity by up to 80% for April and May .
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EasyJet are having to ground 100 of its 344 European aircraft across Europe and ask a number of their staff to take pay cuts and unpaid leave.
The airline said in a statement: “Due to the unprecedented level of travel restrictions being imposed by governments in response to the coronavirus pandemic and significantly reduced levels of customer demand, easyJet has undertaken further significant cancellations.
“These actions will continue on a rolling basis for the foreseeable future and could result in the grounding of the majority of the easyJet fleet.
“EasyJet will continue to operate rescue flights for short periods where we can, in order to repatriate customers.”
IAG, who own British Airways, said they would be cutting flying capacity by at least 75 per cent in April and May, while its outgoing boss Willie Walsh said he would defer his retirement in its fight to survive the coronavirus outbreak.
Meanwhile, Ryanair has warned that they may be forced to ground all of their flights as Europe becomes the “coronavirus epicentre”.
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The airline added that 80 per cent of seat capacity could be cut in April and May, as the pandemic continues to spread across Europe.
Ryanair said in a statement: “For April and May, Ryanair now expects to reduce its seat capacity by up to 80%, and a full grounding of the fleet cannot be ruled out.
“Ryanair expects the result of these restrictions will be the grounding of the majority of its aircraft fleet across Europe over the next 7 to 10 days.
“In those countries where the fleet is not grounded, social distancing restrictions may make flying to all intents and purposes, impractical, if not, impossible.”
Norwegian have announced that they are cancelling 85 per cent of their flights and temporarily laying off 7,300 colleagues – around 90 percent of their workforce.
As of March 21, the company will primarily fly a reduced scheduled domestically in Norway and between the Nordic capitals.
Finally, Virgin Atlantic is also making drastic changes to its flight schedule, with an 80 per cent reduction in flights by March 26.
Staff are being asked to take eight weeks unpaid leave over the next three months, with the cost spread over six months’ salary.
EasyJet has already been affected by coronavirus, after cancelling all flights to Italy until April, and offering free flight changes to passengers indefinitely due to the uncertainty of travel.
The reduction in flying is also affecting cabin crew, with many easyJet staff being asked to take unpaid leave and pay cuts.
British Airways chief executive Alex Cruz warned that the fallout from coronavirus is “more serious” than the outbreak of SARS and 9/11.
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