Travel

EasyJet to keep middle seats empty when flights resume to continue social distancing


EASYJET are looking at keeping their middle seats empty when flights resume so passengers are able to keep social distancing.

The airline has grounded their entire fleet as the coronavirus pandemic continues, with 2m cases worldwide.

⚠Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

 EasyJet flights could see the middle seat empty to continue social distancing
EasyJet flights could see the middle seat empty to continue social distancingCredit: Reuters

Chief executive Johan Lundgren said the measure is aimed at encouraging passengers to fly after the coronavirus pandemic recedes.

He told reporters: “I expect that to happen. That is something that we will do because I think that is something that the customers would like to see.

“Then we will work out with the authorities and listen to the customers’ views and points on what they believe is the right thing to do, particularly in the start-up period.”

The majority of easyJet aircraft are configured with mainly three seats in a row, either side of the aisle.

The change would involve passengers in window and aisle seats having an empty seat next to them.

 The new measures may be in place while flights see low capacity following the lockdown
The new measures may be in place while flights see low capacity following the lockdownCredit: Reuters

Mr Lundgren said it will be possible to keep middle seats empty as “our assumption is that load factors will not get back to normal early on”.

He went on: “I’m talking about this as an initial phase. Nobody knows for how long that phase will be.

“We’re also looking at various disinfection programmes on the aircraft, we’re in discussions with Easa (the European aviation safety regulator) if there are other additional measures we should take.

“I think it’s important that customers understand that we are taking this very seriously and first and foremost our concern is about the customers’ well-being and our people’s well-being.

“That is what’s going to take priority in this whole thing, because that is the way you get the confidence back with people taking flights again.”

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – BE IN THE KNOW

Get the latest coronavirus news, facts and figures from around the world – plus essential advice for you and your family.

To receive our Covid-19 newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.

To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.

 

Mr Lundgren did not speculate on the financial impact of the measure, but low-cost airlines often rely on filling planes to make flights profitable.

While planes have been grounded since March 30 group’s, the airline said more than half of disrupted passengers had chosen vouchers or alternative flights, meaning that bookings for winter are “well ahead” of the previous year.

However, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary slammed suggestions of keeping middle seats empty, calling it “mad”.

He explained: “We’re in dialogue with regulators who are sitting in their bedrooms inventing restrictions such as taking out the middle seats, which is just nonsense. It would have no beneficial effect whatsoever.”

EasyJet said it is set to report underlying pre-tax losses of between £185 million and £205 million for the six months to March 31, against losses of £275 million a year earlier.

Mr Lundgren described the airline’s first-half trading performance as “very strong prior to the impact of coronavirus”.

He said the firm’s cost-cutting initiative has “dramatically brought down our cash burn”, through measures such as the grounding its fleet and deferring the delivery of 24 new Airbus aircraft.

He also criticised recent demands by easyJet’s founder and largest shareholder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, for the carrier to cancel its entire £4.5 billion order with the plane-maker.

“Clearly it’s not helpful,” Mr Lundgren said. “It’s a distraction on what we’re doing. But myself, the team and the board, we’re absolutely focused on managing through this time.

“This is one of the worst crises that aviation has ever seen.”

Having empty middle seats aren’t the only changes expected when flying in the future – passengers may soon see mandatory face masks, longer queuing and more expensive tickets.

Sun Travel Editor Lisa Minot on EasyJet grounding all flights and what flyers should do

Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal

BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.

But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?

The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.

The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.

We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.

The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.

No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here

www.thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal

 

 





READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.