Friday. 29.03.2024

Ryanair vowed on Wednesday to return to a near-normal summer schedule this year by flying 2,300 flights a week from Britain to Europe.

The Irish low-cost airline said it will be running the flights across 480 routes and is also launching 26 new routes, including from London to the Greek islands of Santorini and Zakynthos, this summer.

The schedule means that Ryanair would be running at about 80% of its usual capacity.

Chief executive Michael O’Leary said that, because of the government's successful vaccine roll-out, Britain is "on track" for a reopening of European short-haul flights.

He also said passengers may be asked to wear face masks on Ryanair flights until 2022.

“I would imagine at this point in time, we’re planning to continue to require mandatory face mask-wearing on board our aircraft through the remainder of this summer schedule and next winter’s schedule,” he said.

Government: 'It is too early'

But while Britons may be keen to book a summer getaway, the British prime minister has been more cautious.

Boris Johnson has repeatedly been cagey regarding whether or not people should book overseas holidays, stating it is "too early" to tell.

In a briefing to journalists on Tuesday, he said "things certainly look difficult for the time being" and added that more detail would be revealed on April 5 - the next review date of whether England can lift restrictions as planned.

Ryanair pledges 2,300 flights a week during the summer holidays