With travel bans and restrictions affected across all Europe, most airlines operating the area, including Malta's national airline Air Malta, have been grounded.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary today revealed the companies plan of action in a lengthy Facebook post: “As a Group of Airlines, we expect most of our flights to be grounded from Tues 24th March onwards. We have offered our aircraft to all EU Governments, both for rescue flights and to operate essential flights for the movement of vital medicines, personal protective equipment, and if necessary, emergency food supplies,” he said.
The CEO also made reference to those whose travel plans got impacted: “Any passenger whose flight has been cancelled as a result of these Government shutdowns, will over the next week or two, receive an email outlining their options,” he continued. This includes flights with Buzz, Lauda and Malta Air.
Michael stressed that due to social distancing reasons, office staff had been halved and therefore asked clients only to call the airline in case of urgent situations such as rescue flights, which the company will be operating in the next few days. “In all cases, these flights take place under maximum safety, with daily disinfecting of aircraft, and no trolley service to minimise social contact,” the CEO said.
Commenting on the COVID-19 spread in Europe, Michael said: “At this time, no one knows how long this Covid shutdown will last. The experience in China suggests a 3-month period for the spread of the virus to be contained and reduced. We do not expect to operate flights during the months of April and May at this time, but this will clearly depend upon Government advice, and we will in all cases comply with these instructions.”
Read Ryanair's full statement here.