Pictures on board first Easyjet flight since lockdown from Gatwick to Glasgow

Director of Flight Operations Captain David Morgan and Captain Kate McWilliams in the cockpit of easyJet flight EZY883 before it takes-off from London Gatwick bound for Glasgow

Chief executive Johan Lundgren said that the Luton-based carrier took guidance from international regulators to develop an enhanced safety and hygiene regime ahead of its resumption of flights on Monday.

Passengers and crew are required to wear masks, aircraft are regularly deep-cleaned, and disinfection wipes and hand sanitiser are being made available.

EasyJet's first UK flight since it grounded its aircraft on March 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic was from Gatwick to Glasgow, taking off at 7am.

Cabin crew member Natalie Puncher wears a mask as she boards easyJet flight EZY883 before it takes-off from London Gatwick bound for Glasgow

Mr Lundgren said not operating a single flight in nearly three months has been "devastating", and the airline is "super-excited" to return to the skies.

He will travel on his first easyJet flight after the restart on Wednesday.

Asked if he would be anxious about his health if the plane is full, he replied: "I would feel 100% safe.

"The recommendations that we've implemented have been defined together with international regulators Easa (European Aviation Safety Agency), ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation), the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and also our own company's medical doctors and expertise."

Passengers board easyJet flight EZY883 before it takes-off from London Gatwick bound for Glasgow

The Airbus A321neo - easyJet's largest aircraft - can seat 235 passengers.

Despite the 14-day quarantine policy and current travel restrictions imposed in the UK, Mr Lundgren said he believed summer holidays will be possible.

He went on: "We would hope and would be really looking forward to restrictions being either lifted, or air bridges put in place where it made sense to do so, allowing UK customers as well as people in the rest of Europe to be able to go on a holiday."

Air bridges would involve travellers arriving from countries where the risk of being infected by coronavirus is deemed to be low to avoid having to self-isolate for 14 days.

EasyJet's initial schedule involves mainly domestic flying in the UK and France.

The airline will ramp up its operations in the coming weeks.

It plans to reopen half of its 1,022 routes by the end of next month, increasing to 75% during August.

But flights will be at a lower frequency than normal, meaning the airline will operate at around 30% of its normal capacity between July and September.

EasyJet announced plans to cut up to 4,500 jobs as it does not expect demand to return to 2019 levels until 2023.

Ryanair intends to restore 40% of its flights from July 1, while British Airways is due to make a "meaningful return" to service next month.

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