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George Best Belfast City Airport is working \u201caround the clock\u201d to make it as safe as possible for travelers, its chief executive has said.<\/p>\nGeorge Best Belfast City Airport is working \u201caround the clock\u201d to make it as safe as possible for travelers, its chief executive has said.<\/p>\n
Aer Lingus is to carry out a review after pictures emerged of an almost full flight with no apparent evidence of social distancing measures.<\/p>\n
The airline said any changes required would be implemented as a \u201cmatter of urgency\u201d.<\/p>\n
Pictures were shared from inside the cabin of a Belfast to London Heathrow flight on Monday morning showing row after row filled with passengers.<\/p>\n
Airport chief executive Brian Ambrose said Monday saw the first big influx of passengers since the virus outbreak, with 154 on the flight.<\/p>\n
He told the BBC\u2019s Stephen Nolan Show: \u201cMeasures yesterday were not up to our usual standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people at the airport will not be found wanting to find solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said no-one has yet found a solution to keep people two metres apart on an aeroplane.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow could you?\u201d<\/p>\n
The airline has said the safety and security of Aer Lingus\u2019s customers and crew is its top priority.<\/p>\n
Mr Ambrose added: \u201cAs soon as we were alerted yesterday to problems \u2026 We are working around the clock to make sure Belfast City Airport can provide the safest environment possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said one of the \u201cpinch points\u201d happened when customers took their hand luggage to re-pack it after clearing security.<\/p>\n
Alternative aircraft boarding methods could meaning dividing passengers between an \u201cair bridge\u201d from the terminal to the front of the plane and using the rear doors from the tarmac.<\/p>\n
Mr Ambrose said he is still reviewing whether measures put in place around social distancing on Monday were inadequate or whether not enough staff were present to ensure passengers adhered to restrictions.<\/p>\n
Until Monday only 30 or 40 passengers had been using the Heathrow flight and were mainly medical workers.<\/p>\n
The chief executive added: \u201cI don\u2019t want to jump to any conclusions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pinch points had not emerged until yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is expected to be late summer before the airport begins opening some of its cafes or restaurants and stemming its significant losses.<\/p>\n