Why easyJet is about to make its flights a lot cheaper

EASYJET flights are expected to be even cheaper this winter, as more destinations go into lockdown and Covid cases climb across Europe.

Destinations such as Amsterdam and Austria are enforcing lockdowns and strict rules, with Germany expecting to follow suit due to their soaring case numbers.

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Financial analysts Kepler Cheuvreux said that while they expect easyJet to operate at least 50 per cent capacity during winter, they are likely to have to reduce their fares to encourage people to book.

They explained: “We consider deteriorating traffic trends coupled with slot requirements at European capacity-constrained airports to be increasingly likely during the current winter flight schedule.

“With increasing number of infections, lockdowns being reintroduced in some countries, we see the risk easyJet will have to incentivise demand and stimulate load factors with significant fare discounts.”

Airlines are already offering massively low fares to encourage Brits to travel this winter, after a summer of travel restrictions.

Ryanair has launched a number of flash sales with tickets as low as £3.50 in recent months, while package holidays to Spain start from just £64.

And easyJet currently has flights to popular cities across the UK and Europe from just £22.99 each way – which could drop even further if they slash prices.

However, while the UK is yet to go back into lockdown, countries in Europe that have seen a sharp rise in Covid cases are enforcing strict lockdown rules again.

Austria has enforced a lockdown on unvaccinated residents only, which only allows them to leave their homes for work, exercise and essential shopping.

Germany, who has reported their highest cases since the pandemic began, could also enforce lockdowns on unvaxxed residents, while the Netherlands has introduced a curfew for shops, bars and restaurants which must close by 8pm.

France, whose cases have also jumped in recent weeks, said they would not be going into lockdown but had raised their Covid alert warning.

Restrictions on travel to and from Europe could even have to be brought back if the Covid surge ravaging the continent creates a new variant.

Tory chief Oliver Dowden said ministers “haven’t ruled out” reintroducing measures like quarantine and PCR tests if necessary.

The Tory chairman said: “We haven’t ruled it out and of course if the situation changes dramatically we would have to review that again.

“If we have a new variant emerging we’d have to consider what our borders would look like in that situation to protect us as we have done in the past.”

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