COVID-19 Lockdown Effect on Travel Industry in Europe: Ryanair Case

This dissertation provides a critical analysis of the effects and ramifications of the COVID-19 lockdown on the travel industry in Europe, using Ryanair as a case study. It begins by outlining the background, rationale, and problem statement, emphasizing the significant impact of lockdowns on the travel sector. The research aims to evaluate these effects, with objectives including studying the situation of COVID-19 lockdowns, analyzing their impact on Ryanair, and recommending strategies for overcoming these challenges. The methodology employs thematic data analysis and probabilistic sampling to achieve research objectives. The findings highlight the negative impacts of lockdowns on the travel industry and Ryanair, leading to strategic recommendations for the airline to navigate the post-pandemic environment. The dissertation concludes by summarizing the key findings and their implications for the travel industry.

DISSERTATION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In the business world, lock-down is considered as one of the biggest challenging factors
for the companies, whether they are public or private. From current study, it has been
summarized that Ryanair is facing the worst situation, because of pandemic lock-down. It has
deals with number of challenges, which is not that easy for any airline in the travel sector to deal
in appropriate manner, especially those who are operating ventures and running flights at
domestic level. Furthermore, from current research, it has been determined that the implications
of strategic suggestions in term of strategies and plans as well as approaches, airline has
overcome the situation. Along with these points, it has been summarized that researcher has
achieved the aims, by conducting appropriate research related to the topic. They utilized the best
research approaches like thematic data analysis, probabilistic sampling, etc. which helped to
achieve research objectives and aims.

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................5
Background of the research....................................................................................................5
Rationale of the Study..............................................................................................................6
Statement of the Problem........................................................................................................6
Statement of Purpose...............................................................................................................7
Significance of the Issue..........................................................................................................7
Research Aim............................................................................................................................8
Research Objectives................................................................................................................8
Research Question...................................................................................................................8
Background Information of the Company..............................................................................8
CHAPTER 2 - LITERATURE REVIEW....................................................................................10
Theme 1 – Studying the situation of Covid Lock-down and its impact on travel
industry.....................................................................................................................................10
Theme 2 - Impact of Covid Lock-down on Ryanair...........................................................12
Theme 3- Analyse the ramification of COVID- Lock down on airline.............................15
CHAPTER 3- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY........................................................................18
Research type..........................................................................................................................18
Research approach................................................................................................................19
Research philosophy..............................................................................................................19
Research design.....................................................................................................................20
Data collection.........................................................................................................................21
Data analysis...........................................................................................................................22
Ethical consideration..............................................................................................................23
Reliability and validity.............................................................................................................23
Research limitation.................................................................................................................24
CHAPTER 4- ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS.............................................................................26
Theme-1 Situation of the COVID Lock-down and its negative impact on travel industry
...................................................................................................................................................26

Theme 2: Covid Lock-down had negative impact on Ryanair.........................................29
Theme-3 Drastic ramification of COVID- Lock down on airline.......................................31
CHAPTER 5- RECOMMENDATIONS.....................................................................................35
CHAPTER 6- CONCLUSION....................................................................................................38
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION
Topic - A critical analysis to evaluate the effect and ramifications of COVID- 19 lock-
down on Travel industry in the Europe - A case study on Ryanair.
Background of the research.
In the corporate world, a company or industry has been impacted from varied
factors, including macro and micro. COVID-19 is the best example of external factor,
that effect travel industry, in varied terms (Pandey and Kumar, 2022). The spread of
corona-virus become the main cause behind lock-down, which affect the whole world,
including corporate world, in which different types of and size of organizations working
individuals and in partnership. Lock-down situation increase the level of pressure upon
organizations that are operating under specific industry and running businesses into a
particular market, where growth and success as well as failure factors are available.
Travel and tourism industry has impacted in several terms, due to Covid lock-down, as it
feels a lot of pressure that affect organizational performances. Lock-down as result of
COVID-19, create the worst environment worldwide, which drive the attention of
individual toward taking strategic actions.
Usually this factor impact economy, business world and living standard of local
people. Travel industry attempt to run venture sustainability and profitably, which is
possible when the management consideration towards external and internal factors are
appropriate. COVID lock-down is the best example of external factor that affect industry
in several ways (Škare, Soriano and Porada-Rochoń, 2021). The current research will
be based on Ryanair, which falls under the category of leading airlines in the travel
sector. The study will highlight in-detail information about pandemic lock-down impact
on company. It will also shed lights on key research approaches, that researcher will
take into their consideration, in order to achieve the aim and objectives.
The current research will shed lights on essential parts of a research, including
literature review and research methodology, which will be examined and determined to
address the issue. With the help of information and all the details, there will be key
aspects, which will enable researcher to analyse advancement that are done for

strengthening venture, and enable to handle operational as well as functional practices
after pandemic.
Rationale of the Study
The reason behind conducting the study is to conduct critical analysis, for
purpose of evaluating the affect and ramification of Covid Lock-down on travel industry,
where Ryanair is operating its venture. Lock-down is the main concept which defines
the overall situation of pandemic in the world of business (Munawar and et.al., 2021).
By conducting the research based on selected topic, researcher can analyse the extent
to which lock-down put impact on overall travel sector, including companies like
Ryanair, who are running their ventures in competitive manner, in order to achieve the
aim of business and key objectives.
Another reason to conduct the research based on Covid Lock-down is to identify
and then fill the gap, as research efforts to collect information and cover those data that
has not been earlier covered in previous study about the similar topic. Scholar will
address the gap in the current study, in appropriate manner, with consideration and
utilization of appropriate research methodology. With the help of this study, researcher
can reflect the overall environment of travel industry, that has been impacted from lock-
down as outcome of COVID-19 pandemic (Pan and Yue, 2022). The study will be
conducted for purpose of justifying significance and novelty of research. Along with
above reasons, researcher conduct current study, because of collecting data which
specify ways in which lock-down affect and approaches that company can take into
consideration, for purpose of overcoming that.
Statement of the Problem
Lock-down is the main issue that researcher need to study, because it impacts
the entire travel industry, and companies like Ryanair, establishing venture in the
current sector and taking initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction level. It allows
researcher to collect relevant data about the consequences of lock-down and
ramification related to the same (Rahman, Thill and Paul, 2020). It is quite essential for
the researcher to highlight the impact of Covid Lock-down and its outcomes that affect

travel sector, entirely, in different manners. With the help of current research,
researcher attempting to address the major impact of issue, for which they work harder.
By conducting research based on selected topic, scholar can enable readers to
comprehend the purpose and intent of overall investigation in appropriate and
systematic manner (Rume and Islam, 2020). It is essential for researcher to study the
concept and then draw final conclusion at the end of research in understanding manner.
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the research is to evaluate the effect and ramification of Covid
Lock-down on Travel industry in the Europe. This helps in concerning the aspects which
are related to addressing the effects due to which the travel industry is been facing such
critical measures being denoted. The purpose of the dissertation is to deliver the
information regarding the topic which helps in enhancing the key concerns related to
evaluating the effects and ramifications of Covid Lock – down on travel industry in
Europe (Depellegrin and et.al., 2020).
The statement of purpose addresses the key concerns related to analysing the
effects caused by Covid – 19 on Europe. Covid – 19 has caused many distractions and
has caused adversities in the travel industry. This research has helped in providing the
key details regarding the analysis of the travel industry which has generated the scales
of effective imply of the travel rules and regulations (Bakar and Rosbi, 2020). The
purpose of the research has helped in developing and initiating the ramifications which
have been used within the processes of removing the restrictions and effects of Covid –
19 on travel industry. This is the basis as to how effectively and in efficient manner the
research has been prepared and the key points are developed within the research.
Significance of the Issue
The significance of the issue which has been addressed within the given report
and this helps in creating value for which the research has been done. The issue which
has been identified is effects of Covid lock – down on travel industry in Europe. This is
the major issue which Europe has been facing is the effects of Covid – 19 and
adversely the impacts regarding the lock – down issue which has been done on the

travel industry. This is the major concern and the issue which has been identified in the
research (Donthu and Gustafsson, 2020). There are aspects which have been
addressed as important and are initiating the points which are related to the impacts
and effects of Covid – 19 on Europe. This is the basis regarding the issue which is
significant within the research. This is the problem which has been arisen in Europe.
There are concerns which are related to addressing the issues and effects which are
related to knowing the effects of Covid – 19 on Europe. This is the basis which has
been identified for addressing the significance (Guan and et.al., 2020). There are
concerns which are related to identifying the prospects which are mentioned in the
Europe.
Research Aim
The aim of the research is to evaluate the effect and ramification of COVID Lock-
down on Travel industry in the Europe - A case study on Ryanair.
Research Objectives
 To study the situation of Covid Lock-down and its impact on travel industry.
 To analyse the impact of Covid Lock-down on Ryanair.
 To analyse the ramification of Covid lock-down on airline.
 To recommend strategies to Ryanair to overcome the impact of Covid Lock-
down.
Research Question
 What is the situation of Covid Lock-down and its impact on travel sector?
 What is the impact of Covid Lock-down on Ryanair?
 What is the ramification of Covid lock-down on airline?
 What are the strategies to Ryanair to overcome the impact of lock-down?
Background Information of the Company
The background of the company is that the Ryanair company is the Irish ultra-low-
cost carrier which has various platforms in different states and countries and this helps

in knowing the concerns related to providing the services of Airline and this is
determined. It is the airline which is providing the services which are made available to
the passengers in significant manner. There are concerns which are related to
addressing and denoting the perspectives which helps in denoting the importance of
airlines (Fernandes, 2020). The company is also dealing with providing the concerns
which is helping to provide the aspects of airline services in which the passengers are
provide adequate services regarding the airlines services.
Ryanair is also providing the services according to the needs and requirements of
the customers and this also helps in initiating the concerns related to evaluating and
findings the needs so that best airline facilities are made available to the customers and
the passengers. The airline operates more than 400 Boeing aircraft and this helps in
indicating the concerns related to analysing the basis as to how effectively and in
appropriate manner there are aspects which are related to facilities being provided
(Shulla and et.al., 2021). There has been rapid expansion of the aircraft which helps in
developing the concerns related to analysing the basis which has been highlighted by
the company. The network of the airlines serves 40 countries in Europe, North East and
South Africa.

CHAPTER 2 - LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction – The literature review refers to the brief summary of the research
on the particular topic which has been idealized and this also initiates and frames the
details regarding the concerns related to describing the different themes which have
been interpreted in the research.
Theme 1 – Studying the situation of Covid Lock-down and its impact on travel industry
According to Shulla and et.al., (2021), Travel industry is the industry which is
linked to the idea of people travelling to other locations for leisure social or other
businesses. Due to Covid – 19 many countries were impacted and this also made suffer
the travel industry in satisfying the customers. Covid lock down has impacted many
lives and businesses and this has been the major concern which has impacted the
travel industry. Due to Covid lockdown, the travel industry has been affected much and
this has impacted the business of travel industries. Traveling industry is the major
industry which helps in providing facilities to the customers and the passengers. Due to
Covid – 19 there are major difficulties which the travel industry has been facing and has
faced in the long run. There has been loss of almost 4.5 trillion. The Covid impact has
caused much damage to the travel industry and this has helped in analysing the
concerns related to addressing the facilities being provided to the customers.
As per Guan and et.al., (2020), There has been much decline in the aspects which
are related to the adversities which the Covid has caused. The people are unable to
move from one country to another therefore, the traveling business and bookings were
put to hold and this caused major problems and issues. There is clear scale of how the
travel industry was affected due to the impact of Covid – 19. There has been also risk of
jobs and these are 100 million and have increased. It is also analysed that since the
people were scared of going out and this concerned the perspectives of travel industry
which is facing problems and issues and had also faced the consequences which are
affecting the perspectives of growth and development. Due to Covid -19, there are
restrictions which have been made and this has been the major concern which is
analysed and identified for the perspectives related to identifying the productivity and

the jobs which have been lost. There have bene loss of jobs in the lock down and
people have been facing any problems and issues regarding the lock down period. The
contact intensive services have bene identified and have been addressed as important
which have denoted that the travel industry is facing lot many issues and problems
regarding the benefits and advantages which could have been provided to the
customers but were declined due to the Covid lockdown.
As denoted by Keep and Ward, (2020), Covid – 19 has been the situation which
has been adversely affected the travel industry and this has been the case which has
been the case which is analysed as identifying the key concerns which are affecting the
airline services. There has been social and economic disruption which has caused the
problems regarding the alignment of services in the specific manner. The impact of
Covid – 19 has caused adversity within the services which are being provided to the
passengers through the airlines services. The impact of Covid -19 on travel industry has
impacted the social and economic concerns. There have been the travel restrictions
which has implied the that the major concerns related to addressing the operations and
working are related to analysing the systems within the airlines industry.
As stated by Hudson, (2020), There has been decline in the air passenger travel
which affects the concerns related to knowing the effectivity within the system and this
has been done. The lock down and quarantines have been the major concerns and
problems which have been addressed. There has been this major problem which the
passengers are facing at large. It has become very necessary for the passengers to
abide by the rules and regulations and follow some policies and regulations regarding
the applications of adverse impacts of Covid – 19 impact. The air travelling has been
sharply decreased and fallen sharply and this has been the aspect which is considered
as major and this initiates the problems and issues regarding the providence of services
As per Bhuiyan and et.al., (2020), There are many policies which has been the
concern regarding the practices and policies which has been analysing the practices to
be properly and significantly formed in the concern of Covid – 19 impact. There has
been less impact of airports to the passengers which denotes that the people are
suffering from the adversities which have been caused by the situations created. There
has been economic development regarding the services related to providing the

passengers the services and facilities related to airlines services. The transport has
been affected and this has created concerns regarding the travelling though airlines to
the airports. There has been the target which is set by the government to which the
evaluation has been done by framing the policies and procedures.
As defined Ranasinghe and et.al., (2021), tourism dependent countries are
affected majorly and this has encompassed the concerns related to the lock – down and
this problem which the travel industry has been facing. This is problem and issue which
the gravel industry is being impacted. There is also evaluation which is regarding the
Covid – 19 impact and the lock down has also restricted many of the functions and
operations in which there are aspects related to growth and development which has
resulted in decrease of usage of services within the travel industry in the manner which
has become irrelevant to the aspects of business of travel industry.
Theme 2 - Impact of Covid Lock-down on Ryanair
According to Brouder and et.al., (2020), Covid lock – down is analysed and is
meant to prevent the infection which is spread of infection which is from one person to
another. This is done to protect ourselves and others from the spread. Lockdown is
meant by analysing the consequences of Covid – 19 and keeping the people aware
about the chances of not getting affected by Covid – 19. Due to the increase of Covid -
19 in the environment, there has been impact of Covid – 19 lockdowns and this is
impacting the travel industry. This is the major part which has been addressed and is
concerning the aspects which are related to knowing that there are adversities which
have been identified and are created in the manner of knowing and analysing the basis
of impact and increase in the cases of Covid.
As denoted by Priyadarshini and et.al., (2022), There are most of the EU
countries which have been affected and impacted by the adversities and negative
impacts of Covid - 19. There are most of the EU countries which have imposed the bans
and other restrictions and this has constituted the 99% of Ryanair’s aircraft to be
grounded in the weeks and for months. Ryanair is complying with all the restrictions at
all times. There has been larger impact of the Covid – 19 on the aircraft and the overall
travel industry. The impact has been the major concern on the aircraft and this has