Ryanair Slashes Winter Capacity as Virus Weighs on Demand
- Irish carrier plans 40% of normal flights, blames restrictions
- Aviation stocks fall as carriers prepare for lengthy slump
Passenger aircraft operated by Ryanair Holdings Plc stand on the tarmac at London Stansted Airport in Stansted.
Photographer: Luke MacGregor/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Ryanair Holdings Plc slashed its schedule and cut back its presence in several countries, blaming tighter travel restrictions that have hammered demand in Europe.
The shares fell after the Irish discount carrier said it will operate at about 40% of its 2019 winter capacity, down from a previous plan to run at 60%. Ryanair will reduce the number of aircraft kept in Belgium, Germany, Spain, Portugal and in Vienna for the season, after bookings weakened materially in November and December, it said in a statement on Thursday.