Coronavirus, easyJet grounds entire fleet after 650 rescue flights

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Johan Lundgren, easyJet's CEO, has decided to ground the entire fleet

EasyJet, a budget airline, grounds 344 of its flights because of unprecedented travel restrictions brought in to combat Coronavirus. This airline made more than 650 rescue flights so far, bringing home 45,000 customers – and will continue to work with government bodies to make more when requested. But there is no certainty when commercial flights will be allowed again, its planes have been mothballed.

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EasyJet grounds some flight due to Coronavirus: the CEO’s statements

After the decision to grounds flights due to the Coronavirus pandemic, easyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: “I am extremely proud of the way in which people across easyJet have given their absolute best at such a challenging time, including so many crew who have volunteered to operate rescue flights to bring our customers home.”

He also adds that they were working tirelessly to ensure that easyJet continues to be well-positioned to overcome the challenges of Coronavirus.

They worked together and unite to reach an agreement on furlough arrangements for cabin crew.

So the crews will be paid 80% of their average pay through the Government job retention scheme. This measure will be implemented from 1 April 2020 for two months. The airline has a strong balance sheet, with no debt due in until 2022 – and is taking every step it can to help survive the crisis financially.