EasyJet to start flying again on 15 June

The budget airline said a small number of flights would restart on routes where there was enough demand to be profitable. The routes will mainly cover domestic flights in the UK and France.

The FTSE 100 company said it would announce further routes over the coming weeks as customer demand increases and lockdown measures are relaxed. EasyJet grounded its entire fleet of planes in March in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

EasyJet said passengers and flight crew would have to wear masks and there would be no onboard food service at first. Planes will undergo extra cleaning and disinfection and disinfectant wipes and hand sanitiser will be available onboard. The airline will also promote its mobile phone app which avoids paper boarding passes.

Johan Lundgren, easyJet's chief executive, said: "These are small and carefully planned steps that we are taking to gradually resume operations. We will continue to closely monitor the situation across Europe so that when more restrictions are lifted the schedule will continue to build over time to match demand, while also ensuring we are operating efficiently and on routes that our customers want."

EasyJet said the health measures had been agreed with aviation authorities and in line with government and medical advice.