Ryanair to resume 40% of flights from July

Stansted-based Ryanair has announced it is hoping to run 40% of its normal flight schedule from July 1.

The vast majority of the budget airline's fleet has been grounded since mid-March, but plans are now in place for some flights to resume in the summer.

The measure is subject to government restrictions on flights within the EU being lifted and "effective public health measures" being put in place at airports.

It would involve nearly 1,000 flights per day being operated and 90% of its pre-Covid-19 route network being restored.

Passengers and cabin crew would be required to wear face masks as well as pass temperature checks before boarding planes.

The airlines say it will also run a "limited inflight service" for meals and snacks, but all onboard transactions will be cashless.

However, queuing for toilets will be banned, but "toilet access will be made available to individual passengers upon request".

All surfaces in cabins will be disinfected every night with chemicals which are effective for more than 24 hours.

"It is important for our customers and our people that we return to some normal schedules from 1 July onwards," Ryanair chief executive Eddie Wilson said.

"Governments around Europe have implemented a four-month lockdown to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

"After four months, it is time to get Europe flying again so we can reunite friends and families, allow people to return to work and restart Europe's tourism industry, which provides so many millions of jobs."