When the flight ban was suddenly announced at the end of last year, many airlines got into trouble and had nowhere to go. Traveling by train, car or boat was possible during those months of the flight ban, much to the annoyance of the aviation sector. And now the half-year figures do not lie. Airline easyJet has been severely affected by the flight ban that was in effect from the United Kingdom to the Netherlands earlier this year.
For months, no flights were made by easyJet from Schiphol to its main market. Also in Eindhoven, where flights are now slow, we saw the same picture for Wizz Air, Transavia and Ryanair, which recently received a fine of 4,2 million from the Italian Antitrust authority for non-reimbursement of tickets and unfair trading practices. In recent days, the Antitrust sanctioned easyJet for 2,8 million and Volotea for 1,4 million for the same reasons.
misleading advertising
Other misconduct has been identified at some companies, such as not providing a snack in the event of cancellation of the trip due to the situation that arose during the pandemic or creating obstacles to the use of already issued vouchers. With regard to Ryanair, the advertising campaign spread through the main media - again from June - was also considered misleading. This campaign focused on the possibility to change the flight for free, but on the other hand, the airline charged higher fares for the new flight chosen by the consumer. Ryanair also charged a fine in any case if the flight change took place within 7 days before departure. In addition to the payment of fines totaling € 8,4 million, Ryanair, easyJet and Volotea will have to improve their performance to comply with the Authority's rules and will be closely monitored.
bright spot
From a European point of view, the past year has become a battle for the aviation sector with now, here and there, a small bright spot at the end of the tunnel. Italy and the European Union are close to agreeing on the creation of a new national airline. According to the Italian newspaper The messenger next week an agreement can be reached on the restart of the previously declared bankrupt company Alitalia. The new airline could employ between 4500 and 5000 staff and have about 55 to 60 aircraft, the paper said. The EU requires the airline not to have a majority stake in ITA's handling or maintenance activities. Alitalia is currently managed by the State.
stock price
The stock market in some sectors has been severely affected by the crisis. Lufthansa's current price is about a third of what the shares cost before the corona crisis. Reason for the family and heirs of the German billionaire Heinz Herman Thiele, who passed away in February at the age of 79. to sell a major stake in the German airline Lufthansa. The timing of the sale may have been prompted by Lufthansa's plans to issue additional shares of its own to raise capital. The airline wants to raise up to 5,5 billion euros in this way. The current market value of the company is 6,5 billion euros.
covid travel certificate
Yet there is also positive news to be heard when we think about our holiday. This summer there will be a European covid travel certificate. After long deliberations, the countries, the European Parliament and the European Commission have reached an agreement. The certificate must open the borders again for wider air traffic. With the EU Digital COVID Certificate, travelers can easily prove that they have been vaccinated, tested negative or are immune from recent contamination.
Also read: EasyJet helps government with vaccination program
