Ryanair cancels 80% of flights leading up to March 24th

The Ryanair airline group is set to cancel more than 80% of flights between midnight tonight and the 24th March. As of that date, the airline expects that “most or all flights” will be grounded. In a note sent to the newsrooms, the Ryanair Group says that, as of the previously mentioned date “only a very small number of flights will be operated, to maintain an essential level of connectivity, mainly between the United Kingdom and Ireland”.

The Ryanair Group ??explains that “in recent days, the spread of the COVID-19 virus has led most EU governments to impose severe travel bans and restrictions, which have had a negative impact on the programming of all Ryanair airlines, causing widespread cancellations and travel disruptions across the network.”

The company reminds customers, “who are considering traveling, that all government travel restrictions must be followed. The situation changes daily, and we recommend that customers check the relevant local guidelines issued by their Government before traveling, and our Travel Restrictions page for more information on country-specific restrictions”. All affected customers “will receive an email and will be informed of their options”, explains Ryanair, asking “customers kindly not to call us, as our phone lines are overloaded with inquiries”.

Details about the “drastically reduced” flight schedule can be found on the Travel Restrictions page on Ryanair.com, “which will be updated regularly”.

Ryanair says it will continue to be “in close contact with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of all EU governments on the repatriation of EU citizens and, whenever possible, we will be able to operate flights to support this repatriation”.

The company “sincerely regrets all the interruptions caused by this unprecedented crisis. The safety and well-being of our workers and our customers is our top priority and we will continue to comply with all WHO and EASA guidelines, as well as all travel restrictions imposed in recent days by Governments to combat the pandemic.”