Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has hit out at ideas for
enforcing social distancing rules on airlines after the coronavirus pandemic is
contained, calling them ‘idiotic’ and unprofitable.
Speaking to the Financial Times, O’Leary said Ryanair would not
be able to resume flights if governments impose social distancing rules such as
leaving middle seats empty. He said the measure will not ensure safe distancing
between passengers and claimed there are better ways for carriers to safeguard
passengers.
“We can’t make money on 66 per cent load factors,” O’Leary
said. “Even if you do that, the middle seat doesn’t deliver any social
distancing, so it’s kind of an idiotic idea that doesn’t achieve anything
anyway.”
O’Leary believes airlines should instead follow the example
set in Asia, where carriers are forcing passengers to wear masks on board and
have their temperature checked at airports.
He said he is hopeful that Ryanair will be able to resume 80
per cent of flights by October if travel restrictions begin to lift in July,
adding that he believes normal passenger numbers “plus growth” could return by summer 2021 provided
a Covid-19 vaccine becomes available.
However, he added that Ryanair might have to make job cuts
during the winter slow-down and said he is willing to extend his own 50 per
cent pay reduction beyond May if needed. “My pay cut will run until the last of
[Ryanair] people are off the payroll support schemes,” he said.
Like many carriers, Ryanair has grounded the vast majority
of its fleet and is only operating a handful of weekly flights for emergency
reasons.
Other airlines, including Easyjet, Delta and Emirates, have
announced they plan to keep middle seats empty as flights begin to return, and
there is speculation that some governments will make it a rule for airlines to
implement social distancing policies.