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
Manchester City ‘strongly condemn’ racist abuse towards first-team players at Everton
Danny Jones
Manchester City Football Club have released a statement following yet more troubling racist abuse in the Premier League this May bank holiday.
Pep Guardiola’s side faced Everton in a fixture that ended in a 3-3 draw, which could prove pivotal in their pursuit of leaders Arsenal.
Sadly, however, one of the main stories to be taken from the game once again revolves around abuse and discrimination.
Match officials were quickly made aware of racial remarks directed at winger Antoine Semenyo on the day, and, unfortunately, defender Marc Guehi has also been the subject of hateful messaging online in the aftermath of the result.
Sharing a short, but simple and emphatic statement, the club wrote: “Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse directed towards Antoine Semenyo at yesterday’s match.
“We welcome the swift action taken by Everton and the police to identify the individual responsible.
“We are also incredibly disappointed to hear that Marc Guéhi was subject to a series of vile racist social media posts last night.”
They go on to add that they will “continue to offer our full support to both Antoine and Marc and never accept discrimination of any kind in our game.”
Everton themselves have since confirmed that local authorities swiftly identified at least one individual alleged to be responsible for the unacceptable behaviour.
As mentioned in their own post, the culprit is said to have been a 71-year-old man who was quickly flagged by fans and stewards inside the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
While this may be the first incident reported at the Toffees’ new home ground, regrettably, it’s just the latest in a long line of similar cases raised not just in English football but the top flight, specifically.
It goes without saying that we’re sorry to hear that stuff like this is still happening, and we send our strength to all those who continue to be affected by this despicable treatment.
As ever, ‘the beautiful game’ is for everyone and racism has no place in society, let alone football – kick it out once and for all. In other news surrounding Man City, there’s also been some controversy surrounding their upcoming FA Youth Cup final.
Manchester ‘institution’ Topkapi Palace quietly closes Deansgate restaurant after 47 years
Danny Jones
After the best part of half a century, local institution Topkapi Palace looks to have quietly closed the doors to its Manchester restaurant.
Founded way back in 1969, Topkapi has been a mainstay of the Deansgate strip longer than most other venues in the area, but many have noticed that it hasn’t been open for a little while now.
After plenty of speculation online, it now appears to have shut down for the foreseeable future.
It remains to be seen whether or not this is a permanent culinary casualty, but judging by the paper signs now displayed in the windows, things don’t look promising for the Turkish grill.
As posted in the shopfront of the restaurant, an update from Wilson and Doe High Court Enforcement says: “Under the terms of the demised lease, we, as authorised agents on behalf of the landlord, have to this day re-entered the premises known as Topkapi Palace…”
It also warns that any attempts to enter the building will result in criminal or civil proceedings.
The statement goes on to read: “Acting as agents for the Involuntary Bailee, we give notice to any third party who asserts ownership of the Goods to which this notice relates:
The goods identified at Topkapi Palace (Part Ground Floor and Basement), 205, 206 and 209 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3NW are being held at the Property.
The Goods are ready for collection immediately, and this is a notice of your obligation to take delivery of the Goods at a mutually convenient time to be agreed and arranged with the Involuntary Bailee’s agents
Unless the Goods are collected on or before 17:00 on 10 April 2026, the Involuntary Bailee or its agents will remove and dispose of the Goods. The period between now and the Deadline is sufficient to provide you with a reasonable opportunity to take delivery of the Goods.
If the Goods are disposed of, the Involuntary Bailee intends to retain its disposal costs from any sale proceeds.”
As you can see, multiple units are listed in the forfeiture notice, including the address assigned to their takeaway sister site located just around the corner on Bootle Street, although it’s still unclear whether or not this way will stay open.
Somewhat of an institution in its own right, plenty of Mancs will have visited the late-night street food spot even if they have never sat down for a meal in the Topkapi Palace itself.
Posting on the Manchester subreddit last week, one user wrote: “I noticed that Topkapi Palace on Deansgate had shut down, I was gutted!”; another went on to add: “Oh dear – I hadn’t realised this.
“I always enjoyed the food, but it was often quiet during the week more recently, and that end of Deansgate is now prime territory for expensive bars. I doubt the unit will stay empty very long.”
Topkapi’s apparent closure is just one of several in and around the city centre already this year, with several hospitality names having to cease trading due to rising energy bills, business rates, rent and various other reasons. Here’s hoping the sector regains a bit of stability sometime soon.
The Manc -
10th June 2020 
