LONDON, Nov 26 (Reuters) - British airline easyJet
said domestic bookings for December had risen significantly this
week compared to last week after news that some COVID-19
restrictions in its home market would be eased.
England's current lockdown bans most international travel,
but when it ends on Dec. 2 people will be free to go abroad.
Over Christmas, COVID-19 restrictions across the UK will be
relaxed to allow families to mix for five days.
The prospects for travel were also boosted after a rule
change in England earlier this week which means from
mid-December, arrivals in the UK can shorten their quarantine to
five days from 14 if they test negative for coronavirus.
EasyJet said bookings for flights from London and Bristol to
Belfast, and London to Edinburgh had risen, and it had seen a
200% increase in searches for both flights and holidays to beach
destinations for next year.
"We know underlying demand is there, which we see every time
travel restrictions are lifted," easyJet chief executive Johan
Lundgren said in a statement on Thursday.
"We continue to closely review our flying programme to
ensure we are aligning our schedule with customer demand."
The pandemic has battered easyJet's finances, forcing it to
axe 4,500 staff, sell planes and take on new debt, and Lundgren
has said a recovery depends upon travel restrictions being
removed.
(Reporting by Sarah Young, Editing by Paul Sandle)