Many UK airlines are resuming a limited flight schedule from next month after grinding their fleet to a halt amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
EasyJet, Jet 2, Ryanair and British Airways are among the airlines to issue recent statements regarding updates on flights and refunds.
The UK government currently advises against all non-essential flight travel, but this is reportedly set to be addressed and altered over the coming weeks.
It looks to offer a fresh hope for holidaymakers ahead of the summer season.
Here is everything you need to know about flights running this year and current refund situations.
This is set to start with domestic routes only, followed by half of its 1,022 fleet flying overseas from July, and then by August, 75% of routes will be operating, but only with around 30% its normal flying capacity between July – September.
EasyJet passengers looking for a refund have been offered three alternative options – a cash refund, a free flight change or a voucher and goodwill credit.
Cash refunds could take between 28 – 90 days to be processed at present.
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The airline has waived the flight date change fee, so you can transfer for FREE onto any other easyJet flight within Europe up until May 2021.
For a voucher and credit, you will receive the voucher of the full cost of the flight, with goodwill options including a £50 easyJet Holidays voucher, or a £5 easyJet flight voucher.
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Jet 2
Jet2 has announced a postponement to the launch of their flights.
The airline is set to resume from 15th July 15 to around 40 European destinations including Spain, Portugal and Greece.
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Regarding refunds, Jet2 is allowing passengers to either move their flight booking to another date without charge, or to use a credit note within six months.
Passengers wishing for a refund will have to contact Jet2 directly.
If you’re looking for more information, it’s advised to visit the Jet 2 website here.
It’s believed that 1,000 daily flights to popular destinations including Spain, Greece and Portugal will be the target and Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary declared on Good Morning Britain that thousands of families had already booked a trip abroad in July and August.
Due to “an unprecedented record backlog of cancellations”, Ryanair passengers looking for refunds have been told they can be expected to wait 10 – 12 weeks.
Many passengers are instead being offered credit notes instead of refunds, which will convert back to a refund if not used within 12 months.
In an email to customers, the airline explains: “Please note that if you do not use the voucher before the expiry date you will receive a full cash refund. In the event you use the voucher in part, you will also receive the option of voucher for the balance or a cash refund after the expiry date.”
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British Airways
British Airways has announced that it hopes to resume flights from 1st July, starting with just eight routes from London Heathrow Airport.
International flights will resume to 29 destinations within North America, Asia and Africa later in July.
There has been no indication of when flight travel from Manchester Airport is set to resume.
British Airways customers with affected flights are entitled to a cash refund by calling its customer service, but due to high demand, it may be difficult to get through. Alternatively, passengers can claim a voucher to use for a flight booking before the end of April 2022 by filling in an online form.
The airline is also offering Avios points as an option for cancelled flights.
You can find out more information regarding refunds via the British Airways website here.
News
Pep Guardiola signs new contract to stay at Manchester City until 2027
Danny Jones
Blues will be delighted to hear that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is staying after agreeing to sign a contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least 2027.
The Catalan coach and supremely talented tactician has won all there is to win with Man City and after completing not only a record-matching treble but making history by becoming the first English team to win four Premier League titles in a row, you could argue his Etihad project is well and truly completed.
Guardiola, who joined City back in 2016, has gradually been creeping towards the end of his most recent contract, leaving those slowly searching for his replacement and the fan base wondering what the future holds for their next chapter.
But it turns out they don’t have to worry about life after Pep for a little while longer, as the 53-year-old has now extended his stay for another two seasons. The blue moon that has loomed over Manchester for the best part of a decade isn’t going anywhere just yet.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager, who is comfortably one of the most decorated and celebrated coaches in football history, was due to leave the club at the end of the current campaign.
However, although his contract would have seen him depart by June of next summer, this new deal will now see him stay in post until the end of the 2026/27 campaign, which will see him surpass the 10-year mark and then some.
It’s the news all Blues have been waiting for and an announcement that will no doubt come as a huge relief given the immense success he has brought to East Manchester.
Despite waiting until now to seemingly decide his future, the man himself has actually been pretty clear on the matter, insisting that he “fell in love” with the club from the moment he got here and saying as far back as 2020 that “unless they [CFG] sack me, I will stay here.”
Speaking in an official statement, Guardiola said: “Manchester City means so much to me. This is my ninth season here; we have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club. That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.”
“Thank you to everyone for continuing to trust and support me – The Owner, The Chairman Khaldoon, Ferran, Txiki, the players and of course the fans… everyone connected to Manchester City. It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here.”
Man City fans will honour Pep with a banner which reads in Catalan, 'we want you to stay'…
"They'll have to bring me the bill. I will pay the bank. I don't want them to spend money for that reason. I feel in love since the first day I came here." 🥺
Better still, while the details of the agreement are yet to be fully detailed, it is thought that the new contract still includes an option to extend for an extra year, meaning we could be looking at Pep in Premier League dugouts even longer.
Should City go on to close the gap on current league leaders Liverpool, it would mean Guardiola would have overseen five title wins with the same team in a row: a feat only matched by very few in European football, most notably Juventus and Bayern Munich, the latter having managed 13 consecutive years.
Who knows if/when Guardiola will actually leave the Etihad Stadium for a new challenge, all we know is he changed modern football forever and has given Manchester – a city already spoilt in this respect – some of the most impressive football it’s ever seen.
All we do know is that the beautiful game’s passionate, bald, tiki-taka extraordinaire known simply as Pep is staying in 0161 for the time being and there are countless fans who are absolutely buzzing about it.
Tributes pour in for chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, Tommy Muir
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring in following the death of Tommy Muir, the long-standing chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, at the age of 71.
News of Muir’s death broke on Thursday, 21 November, with countless Man City fans learning of his tragic passing online and proceeding to pay their respects.
The Cheadle Branch boss, lifelong supporter and well-known club figure is said to have died following a period of illness, with a member of the popular Bluemoon Forum claiming he suffered from the progressive disease pulmonary fibrosis for some time.
Numerous messages of sadness, love and support have been shared on social media already.
Sad to hear the news that Tommy Muir has died. A wonderful person who first helped me with my research decades ago. A dedicated MCFC fan. My thoughts are with his family and friends. https://t.co/8rLcL10N2Ipic.twitter.com/dkEmCSU1vl
Just heard a top blue Tommy Muir has passed away. Met Tommy years ago, he helped me out with tickets down the years, we shared a few laughs and pints. He gave me this plaque after he rescued it from Maine Road and is something I'll always treasure. RIP Tommy #trueblue 💙⚽ pic.twitter.com/jfbFLfZCKS
By all accounts, Muir will be remembered as a much-loved leader of City’s Cheadle Branch, as well as a generous character with a great sense of humour.
There are countless messages from people who know him from the local area or through helping sort spare tickets for matchdays and as the familiar face around Maine Road back in the day and on the bus to the Etihad Stadium for many years.
Tommy was also one of the official supporters group members who were treated to a visit by Man City themselves, naming him honorary Life Vice President of the Official Supporters Club and bringing the Treble trophies to his doorstep back in July 2023.
Muir, an ex-Royal Mail worker, also served as the landlord of The Kenilworth pub back in Cheadle, Stockport, where fans would regularly meet pre-match before heading to watch the game.
Local author and historian of Manchester sport, Gary James, wrote on Facebook: “I’ve just seen this news… Sad to hear the news that Tommy Muir has died. A wonderful person who first helped me with my research decades ago. A dedicated MCFC fan. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Speaking to The Manc, General Secretary of City’s Official Supporters Club, Kevin Parker told us: Tommy was a blue through and through and 100% committed to The Supporters Club at Cheadle and its members.
“I have known Tommy for over 30 years and no one deserved the recent success the club has had more than him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and fondly remembered. He will still be watching our wonderful club from the Blue Stands in the Sky telling anyone who disrespects his Club to ‘do one'”
Known to so many throughout the fan base, even supporters who never met him personally have been sharing their condolences on various platforms. Those who knew him well have nothing but heartwarming memories to share.
Fan forums like Bluemoon have been awash with people mourning Muir’s passing. One person told the story of meeting him at the age of 17 and following him when moved to The George and Dragon pub – another popular City haunt before games.
Another wrote: “I got to know Tommy when I joined the Cheadle Supporters branch. Tommy loved being branch secretary. He was absolutely dedicated to his position as branch secretary […] The branch meetings were serious affairs, getting through what had to be discussed, but in between was humour and laughter brought about by Tommy.
“Tommy had a huge sense of humour, and his one-liners were famous amongst the branch members, which would have everyone laughing throughout the meetings. The coach trips to the away games were never dull. They were always full of cheer, drinking, laughter, and City songs.”
“Keep on watching your beloved City from above. Rest in peace, Tommy.”
Losses like this within a fan base are always tough to take. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, the Cheadle Branch and all the Blues whose lives he touched. RIP Tommy Muir.
The Manc -
10th June 2020 
