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EasyJet boss claims he would ‘feel 100% safe’ on full planes as flights resume at Belfast International Airport

A passenger arrives at Belfast International Airport this morning for the first domestic flight to leave the airport since it was shut down after Coronavirus restrictions were put in place. All passengers entering and flying from the terminal must wear a face mask. Picture by Hugh Russell.
A passenger arrives at Belfast International Airport this morning for the first domestic flight to leave the airport since it was shut down after Coronavirus restrictions were put in place. All passengers entering and flying from the terminal must wear a A passenger arrives at Belfast International Airport this morning for the first domestic flight to leave the airport since it was shut down after Coronavirus restrictions were put in place. All passengers entering and flying from the terminal must wear a face mask. Picture by Hugh Russell.

EasyJet’s boss has insisted he would “feel 100% safe” on packed planes as the airline restarts operations at Belfast International Airport for the first time in 11 weeks.

The budget carrier has reintroduced seven routes from Aldergrove: Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gatwick, Liverpool and Newcastle.

It represents the first commercial flights at the airport since easyJet grounded its entire fleet at the end of March.

Chief executive Johan Lundgren told the PA news agency that the Luton-based carrier took guidance from international regulators to develop an enhanced safety and hygiene regime ahead of its resumption of flights on Monday.

Passengers and crew are required to wear masks, aircraft are regularly deep-cleaned, and disinfection wipes and hand sanitiser are being made available.

Flights have resumed at Belfast International Airport. Picture By Hugh Russell.
Flights have resumed at Belfast International Airport. Picture By Hugh Russell. Flights have resumed at Belfast International Airport. Picture By Hugh Russell.

EasyJet’s first UK flight since it grounded its aircraft on March 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic was from Gatwick to Glasgow, taking off at 7am.

Mr Lundgren said not operating a single flight in nearly three months has been “devastating”, and the airline is “super-excited” to return to the skies.

He will travel on his first easyJet flight after the restart on Wednesday.

Asked if he would be anxious about his health if the plane is full, he replied: “I would feel 100% safe.

“The recommendations that we’ve implemented have been defined together with international regulators Easa (European Aviation Safety Agency), ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation), the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and also our own company’s medical doctors and expertise.”

Flights have resumed at Belfast International Airport. Picture By Hugh Russell.
Flights have resumed at Belfast International Airport. Picture By Hugh Russell. Flights have resumed at Belfast International Airport. Picture By Hugh Russell.

The Airbus A321neo – easyJet’s largest aircraft – can seat 235 passengers.

Despite the 14-day quarantine policy and current travel restrictions imposed in the UK, Mr Lundgren said he believed summer holidays will be possible.

He went on: “We would hope and would be really looking forward to restrictions being either lifted, or air bridges put in place where it made sense to do so, allowing UK customers as well as people in the rest of Europe to be able to go on a holiday.”

Air bridges would involve travellers arriving from countries where the risk of being infected by coronavirus is deemed to be low to avoid having to self-isolate for 14 days.

EasyJet’s initial schedule involves mainly domestic flying in the UK and France.

The airline will ramp up its operations in the coming weeks.

Flights have resumed at Belfast International Airport. Picture By Hugh Russell.
Flights have resumed at Belfast International Airport. Picture By Hugh Russell. Flights have resumed at Belfast International Airport. Picture By Hugh Russell.

It plans to reopen half of its 1,022 routes by the end of next month, increasing to 75% during August.

But flights will be at a lower frequency than normal, meaning the airline will operate at around 30% of its normal capacity between July and September.

EasyJet announced plans to cut up to 4,500 jobs as it does not expect demand to return to 2019 levels until 2023.

Ryanair intends to restore 40% of its flights from July 1, while British Airways is due to make a “meaningful return” to service next month.

Flights have resumed at Belfast International Airport. Picture By Hugh Russell.
Flights have resumed at Belfast International Airport. Picture By Hugh Russell. Flights have resumed at Belfast International Airport. Picture By Hugh Russell.

READ MORE: A quarter of jobs at Belfast International Airport set to be cut