EasyJet begins consultation with its UK employee representatives
EasyJet has started formal consultation on proposals with employee representatives including BALPA and UNITE on all of its UK based pilots and crew, including the potential closing of three of its bases in the UK London Stansted, London Southend and Newcastle - and may need to reduce staff numbers by up to 30%, whilst optimising its network and bases as a result of the pandemic.
Image courtesy easyJet
These airports would however remain part of easyJet’s route network.
Since the pandemic began, easyJet has taken decisive actions to remove cost and non-critical expenditure from the business at every level to mitigate the impact, however, in line with IATA projections, easyJet believes that the levels of market demand seen in 2019 are not likely to be reached again until 2023.
Johan Lundgren, easyJet CEO, said: "These are very difficult proposals to put forward in what is an unprecedented and difficult time for the airline and the industry as a whole. We are focused on doing what is right for the company and its long term health and success so we can protect jobs going forward.
"Unfortunately the lower demand environment means we need fewer aircraft and have less opportunity for work for our people - we are committed to working constructively with our employee representatives across the network with the aim of minimising job losses as far as possible.
"These proposals are no reflection on our people at Stansted, Southend and Newcastle, who have all worked tirelessly and have been fully committed to providing great service for our customers.”
EasyJet remains committed to its UK operations and currently bases 163 aircraft in the UK at 11 bases, serving 546 routes and flying more than 52 million passengers to and from the UK every year.
EasyJet will continue to review its network and bases to ensure they are optimised in the current environment.