Michael O’Leary, the executive chief of Ryanair warned that Ryanair would not resume operations if the airline is forced to leave the middle seat unoccupied to comply with the “idiotic” social distancing rules in-flight to prevent the spread of the COVID 19 virus.
He said that leaving the seat unoccupied will not ensure safe social distancing to prevent the COVID 19 virus from spreading and the rule was also financially unviable. Michael O’Leary said that he was hopeful that Ryanair could resume 80% of its flights by October if travel restrictions were eased in July. He said that the government would have to pay for the unoccupied seats if they insist on imposing the rule or the airline would not fly.
Some other big airlines such as Emirates, Delta and EasyJet have also announced their plans to keep the middle seats unoccupied during the flight so as to abide by the social distancing rule to prevent the spread of the virus.
Michael O’Leary said that instead of the European government and forcing the social distancing rule in-flight, they should follow the Asian government’s measures to curb the COVID 19 virus from spreading by ensuring passengers with a face mask during all flights and temperatures of the Passengers should be checked at the airport before they’re allowed to board a flight.
