Ryanair cuts autumn capacity after European Covid-19 cases spike

Ryanair has slashed its flight schedule for the coming months after Europe’s largest low-cost carrier warned bookings had “noticeably weakened” following a rise in coronavirus cases across many parts of Europe. The resurgence of the virus is deepening the crisis facing the travel industry, as new government restrictions dash any hopes of a late-summer revival in tourism. “Forward bookings have notably weakened over the last 10 days, given uncertainty over recent Covid case rates in some EU countries,” said Ryanair on Monday. In response, the airline will reduce the number of passengers it carries by 20% in September and October. The cuts will focus on countries that have seen worsening outbreaks, including France and Spain, and will mainly come from flying fewer planes on its network rather than eliminating routes altogether.  Ryanair had previously guided that it hoped to run 70% of its normal schedule in September, more than some low-cost rivals including easyJet. CE Michael O’Leary has said that a second wave of Covid-19 infections in the autumn is his biggest worry, and the disruption to his airline’s business has come even sooner than feared.<br/>