Repatriation from Fuerteventura

[milestone 11]

Blas Acosta said in next 12 (read 24 ) hours will be announced a phone number for all tourists left on the island to call and work out how to get them back to their country. Watch this space.

Quince dias

[classic]

I have put a couple of 'stranded people' in contact with Debbie, the Tourism councillor in Caleta and she has given help to both.
So Debbie Edington 606 675 287  stay safe all

[Captain Sensible]

This poster has just been released with the phone number:

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Hi FVMouse
Are you who I think you might be? Sounds a bit cryptic but if you are, you know me!
Regardless, if there's anything I can do to help please don't hesitate to get a message to me.
Keep safe, regards to both.

[FVmouse]

Yes I know you Tamara  We are in a right old quandary. Stay or go ? Assuming there are even options still available to leave. I think we will find out tomorrow.

Staying is undoubtedly much safer but I’m not sure how she will handle a looong time here. It’s got to be 12 months absolute minimum before tourist flights are able to return .... it would be strange to come for a fortnight and stay for a year ....

But it’s such a serious situation that maybe being cautious and staying is the right option....

Stay safe. Take care of each other.

[Spitfire58]

FV, seriously?? You think 12 months ?? Personally I would have thought maybe three or four months I would have been expecting things to start up again certainly by August. With the containment in China & that now being back under control (for the moment) our time scale should be similar. There will no doubt be another flare up when restrictions are eased but should be manageable by then because a lot will have had it & have a degree of immunity so the health services will be able to cope which I think this is mostly about. IMO

[Grampiangranny]

Wild predictions are never helpful at times like these and only serve to feed anxiety and depression in others.

Life is one day at a time.  Make the most reasoned decision you can with FACTS that are available at the time. What is best for YOU personally and those close to you? The animal instinct to rush everywhere with the herd is purely that, unreasoned and impulsive.

[Will]

Ryanair has just tweeted. Grounded until they say otherwise.

[Archer]

On a more optimistic note, I would like to hope they get the Islands contained soon. It took them a long time to stop importing the virus on flights from Madrid and Tenerife. Saw a flight come in from Tenerife, only yesterday??

Then, with the rapid test kit, they should be able to start up limited movement again, BUT testing everyone entering/leaving a particular area or territory.

Stay positive, and hope the politicians have started to wake up, here.

[Spitfire58]

Just released by Ryanair on social media:

A message from Ryanair Group CEO Michael O'Leary: 

Over the past few days, the spread of the COVID-19 Virus has transformed the lives of people all over Europe and the World. Across Europe, Governments have imposed unprecedented restrictions on citizen movement, starting with flight bans which have closed Europe’s skies to all but a tiny number of repatriation/rescue flights. We apologise sincerely for these disruptions which were necessary, and unavoidable, to help EU Governments limit the spread of COVID-19 to protect our citizens.

As a Group of Airlines, we expect most of our flights to be grounded from Tues 24th March onwards. We have offered our aircraft to all EU Governments, both for rescue flights and to operate essential flights for the movement of vital medicines, personal protective equipment, and if necessary, emergency food supplies. As Europe’s borders become congested or closed, it’s vital Ryanair plays its part to keep vital medicines and food supplies moving. We are continuing to work with EU Governments on rescue flights to return stranded passengers to their home country. In all cases, these flights take place under maximum safety, with daily disinfecting of aircraft, and no trolley service to minimise social contact. The safety and well-being of our crews and passengers is our no.1 priority.

Any passenger whose flight has been cancelled as a result of these Government shutdowns, will over the next week or two, receive an email outlining their options. At the same time as we are dealing with unprecedented numbers of flight bans, we have had to reduce office staff by 50% for social distancing reasons and we ask customers to be patient and bear with us; you will receive email communications in due course. Please do not call our phonelines as the reduced staffing will be unable to accommodate anything but the most urgent of cases, which over the coming days, will be rescue flights.

At this time, no one knows how long this COVID shutdown will last. The experience in China suggests a 3-month period for the spread of the virus to be contained and reduced. We do not expect to operate flights during the months of April and May at this time, but this will clearly depend upon Government advice, and we will in all cases comply with these instructions.

While the immediate future is uncertain, it is important to remember that, like all pandemics, this crisis will pass. Our Governments and health agencies are taking unprecedented action, but they require our support, so by working together we can all help to eliminate COVID-19 and allow our lives to return to normality. In Ryanair, Buzz, Lauda, and Malta Air, we will do everything we can to keep our aircraft, our crews, and our engineering teams operational so that when Europe defeats this COVID-19 pandemic, we are ready to return to flying, to allow Europe’s citizens to go back to work, to visit friends/family, and to rebuild Europe’s tourism industry, upon which so many millions of jobs and families depend. Rest assured that we and the 18,000 aviation professionals in the Ryanair Group of Airlines will do everything we can to support our Governments, our people, and our customers during these unprecedented times.

Together, let’s all take care of ourselves, our families and our communities! Best wishes, Michael O'Leary Group CEO