Ryanair faces Italy flight ban for breaking coronavirus rules

Ryanair is in trouble in Italy

REUTERS

6 August 2020

Italy’s is threatening to ban Ryanair from flying to the country's airports over failing to follow coronavirus pandemic rules.

The country’s civil aviation authority, Enac, said last night that it was considering suspending the Irish budget airline’s permit for “repeated violations of the Covid-19 health regulations currently in force and imposed by the Italian government to protect the health of passengers”.

It is understood the airline has failed to enforce the wearing of masks by passengers and allowed them to rush off the planes without social distancing.

The regulator warned that if “violations of the rules” continue it could prevent Ryanair from flying to or from Italy.

The airline serves 29 airports in Italy.

ENAC has raised its concerns with the Irish Aviation Authority.

Ryanair said in a statement that the claims made by ENAC are “factually incorrect” and insisted it is “committed to the highest level of safety for our passengers and crew at all times”.

It said its procedures are “in line with the safety recommendations and measures set out by the Italian government”.

These include implementing boarding procedures to “avoid unnecessary gathering of passengers” and making face masks mandatory for passengers and crew.

Ryanair operated 40% of its capacity in July and plans to raise this to around 60% in August.

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