Ryanair has become Italy’s biggest domestic air carrier, but that hasn’t stopped the country’s civil aviation authority, Enac, from threatening to shut it down over pandemic safety rules the agency accuses Ryanair of ignoring.
Italy’s airline operating rules do not require physical distancing on planes if other safety steps are carefully carried out, including face masks and hand sanitation. Otherwise a one metre distance is required.
The Ireland-based carrier serves 29 cities in Italy. Ryanair denies any violations, saying the charges are ‘factually incorrect’ and says it is ‘committed to the highest level of safety’ for passengers and crew. But Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary has been widely quoted mocking pandemic safety regulations as overreaching and unnecessary.
Aside from its threat to ban Ryanair from flying in Italy, Enac has other sanctions it could use, including limiting the airline to 50% of capacity.
