Back to his aggressive self, Michael O'Leary called the Prime Minister "bonkers".  The Ryanair Chief ExecutIve said the airline was preparing for a difficult year ahead as it returned to flying in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The current published programme calls for a very limited schedule to operate from 1 July on key routes including Dublin to Gatwick, Luton and Stansted.

Consultations about base closures, pay cuts of up to 20%, unpaid leave and up to 3,000 job cuts (mainly pilots and cabin crew) are under way, the low-cost carrier said.

It pointed out its strong financial positions coming from a good 2019.

Ryanair reported a full year profit of €1,002m, compared to €885m last year.  Sales grew 10% to €8.5bn, with the airline welcoming 149m passengers.

The carrier said it was expecting to carry 80m passengers over the course of the year, under half of predictions. 

www.ryanair.com