EasyJet chief calls for support for industry from the government
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easyJet has been pushed to cancel more flights in recent days due to ongoing “adjustments” to its flight schedule. The airline continues to pull flights due to ongoing “travel restrictions”, including the UK Governments “traffic light system”.
In a statement sent to Express.co.uk, an easyJet spokesperson explained: “We want to fly as many customers on as many flights as possible this summer, however as all airlines have been doing throughout the pandemic, we continue to adjust our flying schedule based on the restrictions put in place by Governments to ensure our flying programme best matches demand.
“We are communicating with any customers impacted by a cancelled flight to ensure they are clear on the options open to them which include a full refund.”
The airline has also boosted the ability for customers to reschedule, change or cancel their flights.
“We are providing customers with more flexibility than ever before with our Protection Promise which enables customers to change their flights fee-free up to two hours before their flight if they are no longer able to travel,” continued the easyJet spokesperson.
“We have consistently urged the UK Government to increase the number of countries on the Green list and have kept our aircraft and crews in flight-ready mode so we have the ability to ramp up to 90 percent of our fleet by peak summer so we are ready and able to ramp up.”
Currently, just 12 countries have made it onto the UK’s “quarantine-free” green list.
Of these, one of the only accessible European destinations is Portugal, though Britons still face shelling out to cover the costs of PCR tests both for their departing and return journeys in line with Portuguese and UK entry requirements.
easyJet is also flying to some amber list countries, though warns customers they will need to follow the associated quarantine and testing requirements.
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easyJet CEO, Johan Lundgren, has spoken out against the currently “traffic light” system.
He said: “All the data supports the fact that much of Europe could be opened up to safe travel.
“It is counterintuitive, given the success of the vaccination programme, that the UK has the most restrictive system.”
The airline boss further warned: “The UK is falling behind.
“Spain has opened up for travel with no restrictions.
“The UK proposes expensive testing even on green list countries.
“We’re saying expand the green list, get rid of this confusion over amber and make good on the promise to drive down the cost of testing.”
While easyJet is operating flights to a number of destinations, both green list and amber list, the airline warns customers to “check local requirements before travel.”
On the easyJet website, the airline explains this could include “travel documents” as well as testing and quarantine requirements.
As part of its package holiday arm easyJet holidays has created its own “traffic light” system in line with the Government restrictions.
The airline explains on its website that “holidays to ‘green’ destinations can go ahead, with a few steps to keep in mind” meanwhile “holidays to ‘amber’ destinations can go ahead if you’re happy to travel and follow the re-entry steps set out by the government.”
The Luton-based carrier is also working with Randox to provide COVID-19 test kits for customers who are required to take them depending on the regulations associated with their destination.
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