CONCERNS have been raised after images emerged showing a packed flight from Belfast to London amid the continuing coronavirus crisis.
The photographs, which were captured on an Aer Lingus flight, show passengers sitting side-by-side with no social distancing regulations in place.
Passenger Sean Mallon, who took the pictures, told BBC Evening Extra that most of the seats were taken and there were no apparent measures to stop the spread of Covid-19.
"I would say there was about 95 per cent of the seats taken on the flight," he said.
"There was no social distancing whatsoever."
Mr Mallon said passengers queued up for the flight and boarded in the same way as before the pandemic and no hand sanitiser was offered.
He also said the only advice passengers were given was a reminder to wash their hands after landing.
The image provoked an angry reaction on social media.
One Twitter user said: "Two Aer Lingus return flights a day from City Airport to Heathrow, it’s been happening every day since lockdown so no big surprise or shock", while another added: "How do you social distance in an A330? Best form of social distancing on any aircraft, is not to be on it".
A spokesperson for Aer Lingus said: "In light of the unexpectedly high loads on the Belfast to London Heathrow service this morning and the level of demand for the route, Aer Lingus is reviewing its processes and procedures applicable to the operation of this service.
"The safety and security of Aer Lingus’ customers and crew is our top priority and any process changes that are identified as being required will be implemented as a matter of urgency."
