EasyJet is to axe up to 4,500 of its 15,000-strong workforce and shrink its fleet to 302 planes due to the coronavirus pandemicLuton-based carrier follows similar moves by Ryanair and British Airways Comes as travellers to the UK face 14 days in quarantine upon arrival Tory MPs are are in revolt over the measure’s economic impact Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Thousands of easyJet staff are to lose their jobs under plans announced by the airline.
The Luton-based carrier said it intends to reduce its workforce by up to 30% as it reduces the size of its fleet due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This follows similar moves by other airlines such as British Airways and Ryanair.
EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: ‘We realise that these are very difficult times and we are having to consider very difficult decisions which will impact our people, but we want to protect as many jobs as we can for the long term.’
Thousands of easyJet staff are to lose their jobs under plans announced by the airline (file photo)
EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren (pictured) revealed the cuts to the airline today
EasyJet over the last month has been grappling with an investor vote on management strategy as well as a cyber attack.
It said that it expected to shrink its aircraft numbers to around 302 planes, about 51 aircraft lower than it had been planning for 2021 prior to COVID-19.
It said it was focused on taking out cost, and that discussions with lessors to raise new funds were ongoing. It guided that proceeds from those talks would now be in the range of 500 million pounds to 650 million pounds, slightly higher than guidance given in April
The new Future of Aviation Group warns that failure to reboot air travel will risk millions of jobs and deny Britons the chance to go on holiday to countries where restrictions are being relaxed.
Seven former ministers are among dozens of Tory MPs urging the Government to abandon its travel quarantine plan as soon as possible.
The new border regime which will, from June 8, require all arrivals to self-isolate for 14 days, has already been savaged by the aviation and tourism sectors.
Now, in a significant revolt, a cross-party group of 40 MPs – including former transport secretary Chris Grayling and six other ex-Tory ministers – have joined a taskforce calling for urgent action to rethink the plan.
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and key airplane engine supplier Rolls Royce are among the companies that have already announced brutal job cuts just weeks after furloughing staff.
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