Advertisement

Ryanair CEO: Ireland 'fudging around' with air bridge plans and form-filling

Ryanair's CEO has criticised the Government for "fudging around" with plans for air bridges betwe...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

09.32 24 Jun 2020


Share this article


Ryanair CEO: Ireland 'fudging...

Ryanair CEO: Ireland 'fudging around' with air bridge plans and form-filling

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

09.32 24 Jun 2020


Share this article


Ryanair's CEO has criticised the Government for "fudging around" with plans for air bridges between Ireland and other countries.

He also said the current self-isolation rules here are a 'form-filling exercise' and not a full quarantine.

It's been believed that travel restrictions will only be eased for people arriving here from countries that have got the coronavirus under control - with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar backing such measures.

Advertisement

In an interim report published yesterday, a state-appointed taskforce called for the two-week quarantine rule to be dropped completely.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson said Ireland needs to be in line with other EU countries.

Ryanair CEO: Ireland 'fudging around' with air bridge plans and form-filling

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

   

He said: "I think the concept of air bridges is a fudge really.

"If you're going to do that in Europe where you've got the Schengen area, and if you exclude some countries they'll still be able to move from one country to another."

He suggested the idea of air bridges may work in countries outside the EU, but makes less sense within the bloc.

He said: "The European Commission.... has said get everyone back flying by June 15th. We're the only ones still sitting out there with this useless form-filling exercise - it's not even a quarantine.

"There's no point in having a standard which doesn't worked.

"There's no point in having people filling out forms - it's not a quarantine. They may sound sensible, but they're unimplementable.

"The rest of Europe is moving, and Ireland is fudging around talking about form filling... now it's air bridges."

Currently, anyone arriving here is legally required to fill out a form saying where they will be self-isolating - although the self-isolation itself is not legally enforced.

The Government is also continuing to advise against all non-essential international travel.

Main image: File photo. Picture by: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images

Share this article


Read more about

Coronavirus Ryanair

Most Popular