Ryanair cuts October capacity by a further 20%

Ryanair announces it will cut its October capacity by a further 20% (in addition to the 20% cut already announced in mid-August).

The carrier confirms these capacity reductions were necessary due to damage caused to forward bookings by continuous changes in EU Government travel restrictions and policies, many of which are introduced at short notice, which undermine consumers’ willingness to make forward bookings.

The airline says a coordinated approach should be implemented by all EU states, especially Ireland, so that EU citizens can freely book and travel without the worry of flight cancellations and/or defective quarantine restrictions.

A Ryanair Spokesperson said:

“We are disappointed to reduce our Oct capacity from 50% of 2019 to 40%. However, as customer confidence is damaged by Government mismanagement of Covid travel policies, many Ryanair customers are unable to travel for business or urgent family reasons without being subjected to defective 14 day quarantines.

While it is too early yet to make final decisions on our winter schedule (from Nov to Mar), if current trends and EU Governments’ mismanagement of the return of air travel and normal economic activity continue, then similar capacity cuts may be required across the winter period.”