An Irishwoman who flew home from Spain to be with her elderly parents this week has said the lack of public health measures was “just a disgrace.”

On Lunchtime Live this afternoon, Anna said she flew from Malaga to Dublin yesterday to be with her father who has become unwell.

She said she was was shocked to see that staff on the Ryanair flight were not wearing face coverings or gloves and every seat on the plane was in use.

“I had my mask on and some other people did but the staff didn’t have any masks on,” she said. “They didn’t have any gloves on and they were serving food and drinks and counting money.”

Coronavirus

She said the flight looked like the pandemic had never happened.

“Everything was like normal,” she said. “To me, in my mind, I was thinking people were going on a hen night or something with no COVID in the world.

“It was just like a regular mad flight going on a holiday. That is what it looked like to me.

“I didn’t open my mouth on board to be honest because I am coming home to two elderly people and I just wanted to get off that plane as soon as possible.

“I just pulled my hood up and kept my mask on; didn’t eat or drink – nothing. I think the lady next to me said something and I didn’t even answer because I was trying not to breath as much as possible.”

"Absolute disgrace"

She said she couldn’t believe what she was seeing when got on-board.

“It was an absolute disgrace,” she said. “I was horrified and only I actually had to come home, I would have turned around and gotten off the plane to be honest. But I couldn’t, I had no choice.”

While airlines are not required to leave seats empty to facilitate social distancing, face coverings are mandatory for staff and passengers both at the airport and on board the plane.

"Healthy Flying"

In a statement, Ryanair said it has carried over 20 million passengers since July 1st “with zero in-flight transmissions” of the virus.

It said its “Healthy Flying” measures are “robust” and take account of European Aviation Safety Agency guidelines.

“In line with these guidelines to protect passengers and cabin crew, the use of face masks is mandatory throughout the entire duration of the journey – including while boarding and disembarking,” the airline said in a statement.

“Other measures include a limited trolley service, cashless payments and improved cleaning procedures.

“Both customers and cabin crew have adapted remarkably well to these health guidelines.”