Due to the expansion of the Omicron variant, Ryan Air expects only 10% fewer passengers than expected in January. Michael O’Leary, the group’s founder, said in an interview Patron. The Irish low-cost airline expects to fly about 10 million people in December, and plans to reduce its capacity by 10% in January compared to 11 million. “We had a strong setback in the first weeks of December for bookings to Ireland and the United Kingdom,” O’Leary said. The rest of the continent travels for business and happiness, ”said O’Leary, who has a lot of bookings for Christmas. “There is a more rational approach across the continent,” he added.

Aviation and contagion

In addition to the epidemic that has hit airline budgets, the region also faces the challenge of environmental sustainability. Ecac (European Civil Aviation Conference, The Pan-European Intergovernmental Conference bringing together 44 member states) convened at the Forum on the Resistance to Aviation in Paris on 14 December. “The devastating effects of COVID-19 – announced by Ecac President Alessio Quaranta, who is also the Director General of ENAC – have made us realize that we have a priority to work with as a system. We must continue to compare and exchange information at the European level to always be ready and responsive to similar problems in the future. Coordination and co-operation are important in planning concrete mechanisms for restoring the order of the system at the international level – that said – to ensure respect for public health and a balanced approach between aviation and allied sectors and economic needs.

The challenge of sustainability

The region needs to rethink itself in terms of innovation and sustainability in order to survive crises and respond to the expectations of travelers and citizens in general. Environmental concerns and an increased understanding of public health hazards can, in fact, lead to stress in aviation and a lack of investment. Participants discussed control responses on how to maintain the level of skills and professionalism in a crisis phase and how to avoid job losses.