Airlines beginning flights to European holiday spots
Low-cost airline easyjet has announced further flights will resume from Belfast International Airport from June 15.
And budget rival Ryanair has confirmed its plan to ramp up flights to 40% of its normal schedule from July 1 after Spain announced it will welcome the return of tourists from the same date.
Easyjet’s announcement follows the news last week some domestic routes would resume.
Now, further weekly flights to Bristol and Newcastle will take off, while flights to Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Gatwick and Liverpool will resume daily.
A small number of flights to Faro in Portugal will also restart.
Easyjet said additional safety measures will be in place on all flights, including the requirement for all passengers, cabin and ground crew to wear masks.
There will also initially be no food service onboard flights, all of which operate on a short-haul network, and “enhanced aircraft disinfection”.
Ali Gayward, easyjet’s UK manager, said: “We’re delighted to be able to confirm even more flying from Belfast from June 15.
“Easyjet will continue to work together with its airport partners and relevant authorities to allow our customers in Northern Ireland and across the UK to travel safely once flying resumes.”
Meanwhile, Ryanair said it will operate flights to “key holiday airports” in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Cyprus.
It has launched a sale for flights in July and August with one-way fares starting from €29.99 (£26.71) in a bid to kickstart demand for travel.
Since mid-march Ryanair has operated a skeleton schedule of 30 flights per day between the UK, Ireland and the rest of Europe.
The Spanish Government revealed on Monday that its requirement for overseas visitors to go into quarantine for 14 days will be lifted from July 1.
This followed announcements by other popular destinations that coronavirus restrictions will be eased in coming weeks.
Ryanair chief executive Eddie
Wilson said: “After four months of lockdown, we welcome these moves by governments in Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Cyprus to open their borders, remove travel restrictions and scrap ineffective quarantines.
“Irish and British families, who have been subject to lockdown for the last 10 weeks, can now look forward to booking their much-needed family holiday to Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and other Mediterranean destinations for July and August before the schools return in September.
“Ryanair will be offering up to 1,000 daily flights from July 1, and we have a range of low fare seat sales, perfect for that summer getaway, which we know many parents and their kids will be looking forward to as we move out of lockdown and into the school holidays.”
He insisted that all Ryanair flights will have new hygiene guidelines, including all passengers having to wear face masks in airports and in aircraft, and having to ask permission to use the toilet facilities to avoid queues.
Mr Wilson added: “We look forward to welcoming millions of Ryanair passengers and their families back on board, and flying them on holiday as Europe’s economies begin to recover from these difficult recent lockdowns, which have been so successful in reversing the spread of the Covid-19 virus.”
Other airlines have announced plans to boost flight numbers.
The UK is to impose a 14-day quarantine requirement for anyone arriving in the country from June 8, but the rules will be reviewed every three weeks.