Ryanair, which operated around 60% of its normal August schedule, flew seven million passengers last month – down 53% from 14.9 million a year ago – at a load factor of 73%.

This is up from the 70% decline it reported in July when, operating 40% of its normal July schedule, Ryanair carried 4.4 million passengers – down 70% year-on-year.

Wizz Air, meanwhile, saw August flight demand slump by 41% to 2.4 million passenger carryings. It posted a load factor of 70.9%, which is down from 96.3% in August 2019.

This was up from the 1.8 million passengers it carried in July, down 53% year-on-year, on a load factor of 60.5% (down from 95.6% in July 2019).

Last month, owing to "continued uncertainty" over European travel restrictions arising from Covid-19, Ryanair said it was planning to cut September and October capacity by 20%.

Meanwhile, Wizz Air warned on Tuesday (1 September) the Hungarian government’s decision to shut its borders could result in it trimming capacity later in the year.