EasyJet refuses to serve Italy unless it axes in-flight social distancing
Searches for flights to and from the country – which is one of the airline's main markets – are increasing
The budget carrier will not fly to Italy if the nation extends social distancing rules on planes beyond June 15, according to its chief executive.
“It would be impossible for the companies to operate respecting the Italian social distancing and selling only a third of the seats,” Mr Johan Lundgren said in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
Mr Lundgren suggested an extension to the social distancing guidelines on planes would be harmful to Italy and would risk the country falling behind.
He added that easyJet, which has said it will restart a small number of flights in France and the UK from June 15, has spoken to Italy’s Ministry of Transport about the matter but has yet to receive a response.
Flight bookings are increasing, Mr Lundgren told the newspaper, as are online searches for flights to and from Italy. He said this was a sign “there are customers who want to take holidays in [the] country”.
Italy is one of the main markets for easyJet and the carrier transports “more or less the same passengers as Alitalia,” said Mr Lundgren. He cited this in reference to the government’s decision to inject €3 billion (£2.69 billion) in Alitalia, which is being nationalised following financial problems.
“I don’t question the nationalisation. But the support needs to be available to all, otherwise one creates distortion. Aid allocated in Europe risks going to inefficient carrier[s],” Mr Lundgren added.
An easyJet spokesperson told Telegraph Travel: “When we resume flying we expect to operate to and within Italy in a way, which is standardised across Europe, and following aviation authorities, EASA and ICAO guidance. In consultation with them and national authorities we have implemented measures which help to mitigate being unable to practice social distancing onboard.
“These include enhanced aircraft cleaning and disinfection and the requirement for passengers and crew to wear masks. Customers will be able to practice social distancing in the airports, at gates and during boarding. Onboard, and where possible, crew will invite customers to sit at distance from customers not in their party where seats are available.”
EasyJet announced on Thursday that it plans to cut 30 per cent of its staff, which equates to the loss of up to 4,500 jobs, as Covid-19 delivers a blow to demand.
Italy is due to reopen its borders to some foreign visitors on June 3. This includes travellers from the UK, other EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Andorra and Monaco.
Italians will also be able to move freely between regions, though local authorities can limit travel if infections begin to spike.
Since May 18, hotels, bed and breakfasts and other accommodation facilities in Italy are allowed to resume business, provided that a one metre social distancing rule is guaranteed in common areas.
Britons are still subject to UK travel restrictions. This includes Foreign Office advice against all but essential travel and, from June 8, a two-week quarantine when returning to Britain from abroad.
However, this week Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered fresh hope that British travellers might still enjoy overseas summer holidays this year. He suggested that the UK could have “air bridge” agreements in place by June 29. These bilateral arrangements would see countries with similar infection rates form travel links to circumvent quarantine measures.
As of May 28, Italy had registered 231,139 cases of Covid-19 and 33,072 deaths.
