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EasyJet says it expects to carry fewer passengers because consumer confidence has been affected by the UK’s coronavirus quarantine measures.
The airline expanded its hours to 40% of normal capacity last month, but now says it expects it to drop.
“Customer confidence in making travel plans has been adversely affected” by “ever-evolving government restrictions,” EasyJet said.
“We know our customers are just as frustrated as we are,” he added.
On Monday, the government added seven Greek islands to the quarantine list, which means that people returning to England from these locations will have to isolate themselves for 14 days.
Johan Lundgren, the head of EasyJet, told the BBC on Monday that the latest change to quarantine rules, which means the islands may be treated differently from their mainland countries if infection rates differ, was “too much little, too late, “as the peak. of the summer vacation season had passed.
“This is something that we have argued for a long time, it should not have been a blanket instrument when it comes to quarantine. It should be based on risk and a much more specific approach,” he said.
In the latest statement from the airline, Lundgren said: “Following the imposition of additional quarantine restrictions on seven Greek islands and the continuing uncertainty this creates for customers, demand is likely to be further affected and therefore lower than anticipated. “
“We now expect to fly just under 40% of our planned schedule during the current quarter.”
The airline said this would be achieved through “a continual reduction of schedules as we continue to focus on profitable flights.”
Quarantine ‘unpredictable’
EasyJet, like other airlines, has been hit hard by closures and travel restrictions around the world, with many announcing job cuts.
It had previously said that it will cut up to 30% of its workforce, about 4,500 jobs, while fighting the effects of the pandemic.
EasyJet said that in view of the “continuing level of uncertainty,” it will not maintain any forward-looking financial guidance for this financial year or next.
“We know that our customers are as frustrated as we are with the unpredictable quarantine and travel restrictions,” Lundgren said.
“Many weeks ago, we asked the government to opt for a targeted, regionalized, and more predictable and structured quarantine system so that customers could make travel plans with confidence.”
He added that it was difficult to overstate the impact that “the pandemic and associated government policies” had had on the entire industry.
Mr. Lundgren called on the government to provide “sector-specific support for aviation,” with a package of measures that includes the elimination of the air passenger tax for at least 12 months.
