23rd Apr 2020 12:37
(Alliance News) - Irish budget carrier Ryanair Holdings PLC won't resume flying if governments demand that middle seats are left empty to enforce social distancing, Chief Executive Michael O'Leary told the Financial Times.
"We can't make money on 66% load factors," O'Leary told the newspaper in an interview published Wednesday.
The outspoken CEO also questioned the effectiveness of such a potential policy. "The middle seat doesn't deliver any social distancing, so it's kind of an idiotic idea that doesn't achieve anything anyway," he said
O'Leary suggested instead the UK and European governments look to measures put in place in Asia, such as requiring masks be worn on transport and temperature checks be made at airports.
O'Leary otherwise was optimistic about resuming flights as soon as possible, ramping up to 80% of its normal schedule by September.
Ryanair expects a "relatively quick recovery" in air traffic on the back of "massive price stimulation" if restrictions were eased for July, the FT said.
https://www.ft.com/content/ddb067bd-c54d-49cd-be1c-bda77f8b8527
Ryanair shares were down 0.6% in London midday Thursday at EUR9.43, down 37% since the year began.
By Tom Waite; [email protected]
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