Watch the Video: easyJet Resumes Operations with First Flight to Take Off in Eleven Weeks

EASYJET’S first UK flight since it grounded its aircraft on March 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic took off from Gatwick at 7am heading for Glasgow this morning. Chief executive Johan Lundgren said that the Luton-based carrier took guidance from international regulators to develop an enhanced safety and hygiene regime ahead of its resumption of flights on Monday.

Boss Johan Lundgren wanted to reassure passengers and said he would “feel 100 per cent safe” on packed planes. Passengers and crew will be required to wear masks, aircraft will be regularly deep-cleaned and disinfection wipes and hand sanitiser will be made available.

Mr Lundgren said not operating a single flight in nearly three months has been “devastating,” and the airline is “super excited” to resume.

The airline will ramp up its operations in the coming weeks. It plans to reopen half of its 1,022 routes by the end of next month, increasing to 75 per cent during August.

But flights will be at a lower frequency than normal, meaning the airline will operate at around 30 per cent of its normal capacity between July and September. Ryanair intends to restore 40 per cent of its flights from July 1, while British Airways is due to make a “meaningful return” to service next month.

Video Credit: JohnHunt TV

First Easyjet flight from Gatwick since March departs the north terminal. pic.twitter.com/w4CFmJaQWA

— The Flying Reporter (@JonHuntTV) June 15, 2020