Easyjet has just announced its plans to resume operations to 50% of its over 1000 routes by July, and to 75% of its routes by August. EasyJet chief commercial and planning officer, Robert Carey stated:
We are delighted to announce that we will be flying the majority of our route network across Europe, meaning customers can still get to their chosen destination for their summer holidays this year.
Earlier, the London-Luton based carrier revealed in a press release, resumption of many UK domestic routes —including London Gatwick, Bristol, Birmingham and Glasgow, from June 15. EasyJet has announced this plan in response to commercial aviation’s slow but sure recovery of travel demand.
Many low-cost carriers are eying July as the “perfect time” to get back in the game. Ryanair, another LCC, is eager to invade the European skies once flight operations resume. It is aiming for an ambitious 1 000 flights each day starting from July 1.
FTSE Rankings
This announcement, however, comes coupled with the news of EasyJet’s removal from the FTSE 100 —companies with the highest market capitalization in the UK. Many airlines have struggled to stabilize from the effects of the pandemic and EasyJet is no different. Because of a dramatic drop in market value and obvious financial struggles, EasyJet will exit from the FTSE 100 index.
Summer Sale
It is clear that the post-COVID world will see many low-cost carriers (LCCs) pitted against each other. Many LCCs have slashed prices, enticing travellers with the best rates available. EasyJet also intends to compete, in its biggest sale yet, by discounting one million tickets to just £29.99. Flights to Spain will be up for grabs for as low as £18.49.
Ryanair has already slashed fares by 50%, as it prepares to battle other airlines in a “survival of the fittest” race, once the European skies finally repopulate.
EasyJet Safety Measures
It will also be interesting to see how airlines address in-flight health and safety concerns.
Like Ryanair, EasyJet will enforce mandatory masks for cabin and ground crew, alongside additional measures like gloves, hand sanitizers and no food service. It has also announced regular disinfection for its aircraft alongside fitting “high efficiency particle arresting filters” to refresh cabin air.
The social distancing clause is still confusing as it’s implementation will be subject to if and “where seats are available.”
Granted, the past few days haven’t been too kind for the low-cost carrier as it sustained a sophisticated cyber-attack amid massive layoffs, it looks to recover from the hits taken in this quarter.
What do you think of EasyJet’s ambitious plans? Let us know in the comments!
