Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Ramadan 17, 1445 H
broken clouds
weather
OMAN
23°C / 23°C
EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

EasyJet says domestic bookings rise as England lockdown ends

1546038
1546038
minus
plus

LONDON: British airline easyJet said domestic bookings for December had risen significantly this week compared to last week after news that some COVID-19 restrictions in its home market would be eased.


England’s current lockdown bans most international travel, but when it ends on December 2 people will be free to go abroad. Over Christmas, COVID-19 restrictions across the UK will be relaxed to allow families to mix for five days.


The prospects for travel were also boosted after a rule change in England earlier this week which means from mid-December, arrivals in the UK can shorten their quarantine to five days from 14 if they test negative for coronavirus.


EasyJet said bookings for flights from London and Bristl to Belfast and London to Edinburgh had risen, and it had seen a 200 per cent increase in searches for both flights and holidays to beach destinations for next year.


“We know underlying demand is there, which we see every time travel restrictions are lifted’’, easyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said in a statement on Thursday.


“We continue to closely review our flying programme to ensure we are aligning our schedule with customer demand.” The pandemic has battered easyJet’s finances, forcing it to axe 4,500 staff, sell planes and take on new debt, and Lundgren has said a recovery depends upon travel restrictions being removed. — Reuters


SHARE ARTICLE
arrow up
home icon