Budget airline's easyJet's £1.2bn shortfall will not affect winter timetable plans
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Budget airline easyJet's planned winter schedule will resume next month, despite reports that the carrier could ground up to 80 per cent of its flights in the face of a £1.2 billion loss.
The carrier has been operating a reduced UK service this month while lockdown measures remain in place across the UK, but a spokeswoman confirmed the airline was on course to resume the schedule which is currently bookable via its website.
However, a full resumption of its regular service in the new year remains in doubt after Johan Lundgren, easyJet's chief executive, said the group expected to fly no more than 20 per cent of planned capacity for the first quarter of 2021.
However, he also welcomed news potential vaccines and added that the group retained the flexibility to rapidly ramp up capacity when demand returns.
The coronavirus pandemic and resultant travel restrictions have seen passenger numbers across the group half to 48.1 million, turning last year's £427 million profit into a 10-figure loss – the first loss in its 25 year history.
This has led to the airline taking a number of steps to secure survival, including selling or leasing back aircraft, securing a £600 million loan from government and cutting 4500 jobs
easyJet operates regular flights between Inverness and London Gatwick, London Luton and Bristol
A spokesperson for Inverness Airport operator HIAL (Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd) said it remained in close contact with its partner airlines and looked forward to connections resuming when it is practical to do so and in line with government and Public Health Scotland guidelines, but in the meantime the safety and health of colleagues and passengers remained the top priority.
BA, KLM and Loganair have also reduced their service at Inverness and across the country, prompting concerns about the possible impact on the north economy.