Transavia to start Lisbon, Faro flights on June 4

Low-cost Dutch airline Transavia will progressively restart its flights as of June 4, connecting Amsterdam to Faro and Lisbon, it said on Tuesday.

“From 4 June, Transavia will fly from Amsterdam to six destinations: Portugal (Faro and Lisbon), Greece (Athens, Heraklion and Thessaloniki) and Spain (Malaga),” the airline said in a statement, recalling that it will “evaluate and decide” on the reopening of other flights and destinations every week.

Transavia CEO Marcel de Nooijer, reporting on the resumption of the flight schedule, said the airline is “pleased to be able to offer passengers a healthy and safe flight again in this challenging time for everyone.

“Nevertheless, we found a good balance between the existing measures per country, the entry options and the passengers’ wishes”, he stressed, adding that “it goes without saying” that “extra measures have also been taken to make flying as safe as possible”.

In the communiqué, Transavia said that the “stricter restrictions” have been lifted in Portugal and that as of June 4, it will “slowly resume” activity with several flights to and from Faro and Lisbon.

In relation to Spain, it says that this country has a ‘code orange’ and asks travellers to be quarantined for two weeks after arrival.

“Despite these restrictions, some of our travellers intend to travel to Spain for family visits or to enjoy their second homes”, he explained in the communiqué, adding that the company also wants to offer these passengers the opportunity to travel, so it will start with some flights to Malaga.

As for Greece, he said that it bans Dutch nationals from entering until May 31, so in view of the reports, the company has assumed that the restrictions “will be lifted later” and warns passengers whose flights are cancelled that they will be notified in the next few days.

Referring to the risk of “accidental contamination” in aircraft, Transavia assures that “it is low”, and that the modern aircraft it flies are equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that guarantee clean air of high quality in the cabin, with a high degree of air circulation.

Transavia also said that passengers and crew will wear masks (mouth and nose) on all flights, which “will further reduce the already low risk”.

“Passengers must ensure they have the necessary face protection (mouth and nose masks, such as non-medical ones, while cabin crew will also wear face protection,” the statement reads.

Worldwide, according to an assessment by the AFP news agency, the Covid-19 pandemic has claimed more than 344,000 lives and infected more than 5.4 million people in 196 countries and territories.