Ryanair's CEO urges Uk holidaymakers to book summer flights
26 March, 2021
British tourists should go ahead and book foreign holidays despite government warnings not to, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary said on Wednesday, as the low-cost carrier declared plans to perform 80 per cent of its peak summer capacity.
Vaccine rollouts will tame Covid-19 and reopen travel in time for beach getaways, Mr O'Leary predicted throughout a news conference where he also dismissed latest advice from UK ministers that foreign travel is likely to remain off-limits.
"I don't frankly pay too much focus on it," he said, citing the UK's "spectacularly successful vaccine program" that aims to reach the whole adult population by late July.
Britain's business lead on vaccinations offers set UK tourists at the centre of the travel industry's summer expectations - dented by latest setbacks to immunisation campaigns in mainland European countries and a surge found in infection rates.
Mr O'Leary reported a good surge in bookings from Britain and Germany, in feedback that contrast with the gloom besetting the market as it faces the chance of another ruined peak season.
Airline and travelling shares experience fallen this week since the UK toughened its stance, but regained some surface on Wednesday with TUI up 7.8 %, British Airways owner IAG 5.5 % higher, easyJet up 3 per cent and Ryanair 0.6 per cent.
Ryanair staged individual online press briefings on its UK, Spain and Greek travelling schedules found in what Mr O'Leary said was an attempt to motivate consumers to book.
The Irish budget airline announced 26 new destinations in Greece, Portugal and Spain and plans to use a total of 2,000 weekly flights on 400 summer routes.
Vaccinations could have Covid-19 under control over the region by summer time, Mr O'Leary forecast, and Britain would then haven't any grounds to bar foreign outings.
"If you are fully vaccinated, I'd end up being very amazed if there is any legal basis for the UK government avoiding people travelling on holiday seasons to other Europe," he said.
"It is very complicated to persuade the UK population to sit in the home, or holiday at home, when everybody's been vaccinated."
Britain has banned foreign travel around until at least May 17, except for essential work, education or health reasons. Consumers should "postpone booking international travel", sociable care minister Helen Whately explained earlier this week.
Ministers are because of review that position in April and "desire to be saying even more by April 5th", Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday.
Source: www.thenationalnews.com