Luton-based airline easyJet grounds entire aircraft fleet after weeks of uncertainty over coronavirus

Today's announcement followed severe travel restrictions imposed by countries across Europe.

Over recent days, easyJet has been helping to repatriate customers, with more than 650 rescue flights returning home more than 45,000 customers.

The last of these rescue flights were carried out yesterday (Sunday).

Johan Lundgren, easyJet CEO said: "I am extremely proud of the way in which people across easyJet have given their absolute best at such a challenging time, including so many crew who have volunteered to operate rescue flights to bring our customers home.

"We are working tirelessly to ensure that easyJet continues to be well positioned to overcome the challenges of coronavirus."

No date has been set for when easyJet will resume its flights.

easyJet and Unite the union have collaboratively reached an agreement on furlough arrangements for its cabin crew.

The agreement will be effective from April 1, 2020, for a period of two months and means that crew will be paid 80% of their average pay through the government job retention scheme.