There’s light at the end of the tunnel.

While Covid-19 safety measures are going to be a key issue for many months to come, Ryanair has announced that it will begin operating up to 40% of its usual flight schedule, almost 1,000 flights a day, from July 1st, 2020.

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

“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.”

New safety measures

The budget airline released a video to illustrate the new safety measures to passengers, who will now be asked to check-in online and could be required to undergo a temperature test at the airport before boarding the plane.

All passengers will be required to wear face masks, wash their hands and use hand sanitiser.

Onboard, there will be no queue for the toilet and passengers will be required to ask a member of the cabin crew if they need to use the loo. Pre-packed food and drinks will be available on the aircraft but it will be cashless payment only.

In preparation for our return to flying, we’re bringing in new measures to help protect the health of our passengers and staff 🛫👇 pic.twitter.com/NY5iGlWh5U

— Ryanair (@Ryanair) May 11, 2020

Ryanair says its aircraft are disinfected after every flight, using a cleaning system that remains effective for 24 hours.