Airlines Add Capacity to Bring UK Customers Home from Portugal

Airlines have provided extra space on flights from Portugal to assist British holidaymakers returning home after the UK government withdrew the European country from the green list.

From Saturday to Monday, EasyJet will operate larger aircraft on flights from Faro to four UK airports: Gatwick, Luton, Bristol, and Manchester, adding over 1,000 seats.

Prior to 4 a.m. on Tuesday, when Portugal and its islands transition from green to amber, BA stated it will run more flights on larger planes, but did not specify how much extra capacity would be added.

EasyJet said it had contacted all of its airline and package vacation clients in Portugal to see if they want to adjust their plans and to provide testing options.

Customers can use the airline’s website or app to transfer to easyJet’s UK-bound flights with excess capacity.

Following the latest modifications to the government’s traffic light list, EasyJet’s testing partner Collinson is contacting clients who need to schedule new tests, offering a 20% discount.

“We know firsthand from our customers what a blow this sudden decision to put Portugal on the amber list is,” EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren said.

“We know first-hand from our customers what a blow this sudden decision to put Portugal on the amber list is,” EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren said.

“With many British tourists currently in Portugal our priority is to help the customers who need to return ahead of the Tuesday deadline.

“We are providing over a thousand additional seats from Portugal to the UK by flying larger aircraft on flights and adding some additional flights where there is demand.”

Customers and crew safety and well-being remained the airline’s “top concern,” according to the company.

According to EasyJet, “The airline continues to have a number of biological safety measures in place onboard in line with guidance from the relevant authorities.

“This includes daily enhanced cabin disinfection effective in protecting against coronavirus for at least 24 hours and mandatory mask wearing for customers and crew.”