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EasyJet plans to close bases and cut staff | EasyJet plans to close bases and cut staff |
(32 minutes later) | |
EasyJet says it has begun consultations on plans to close bases at Stansted, Southend and Newcastle. | EasyJet says it has begun consultations on plans to close bases at Stansted, Southend and Newcastle. |
It follows an announcement by the airline that it may need to reduce staff numbers by up to a third because of the coronavirus pandemic. | It follows an announcement by the airline that it may need to reduce staff numbers by up to a third because of the coronavirus pandemic. |
The Unite union said nearly 1,300 UK crew members faced losing their jobs. | The Unite union said nearly 1,300 UK crew members faced losing their jobs. |
Pilots' union Balpa said it had been told by EasyJet that 727 of its UK-based pilots were also at risk of redundancy. | Pilots' union Balpa said it had been told by EasyJet that 727 of its UK-based pilots were also at risk of redundancy. |
That is equivalent to one in three of its pilots, Balpa said. | That is equivalent to one in three of its pilots, Balpa said. |
EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: "The lower demand environment means we need fewer aircraft and have less opportunity for work for our people. | EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said: "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." | "We are committed to working constructively with our employee representatives across the network with the aim of minimising job losses as far as possible." |
However, Balpa general secretary Brian Stratton said the job cuts were "an excessive over-reaction". | However, Balpa general secretary Brian Stratton said the job cuts were "an excessive over-reaction". |
"EasyJet won't find a supply of pilots waiting to come back when the recovery takes place over the next two years." | "EasyJet won't find a supply of pilots waiting to come back when the recovery takes place over the next two years." |
And Unite said the plan to make 1,290 cabin crew redundant was a "massive blow" for a "battered industry". | |
"There is no need for this announcement at this time, especially since Easyjet has taken a multi-million pound government loan which it ought to be putting to use defending UK jobs," said national officer for civil aviation Oliver Richardson. | |
Easyjet currently has 11 bases in the UK, with 163 aircraft, serving 546 routes. | Easyjet currently has 11 bases in the UK, with 163 aircraft, serving 546 routes. |
Even though it is looking at closing the Stansted, Southend and Newcastle bases, it said the airports would remain part of its route network. | Even though it is looking at closing the Stansted, Southend and Newcastle bases, it said the airports would remain part of its route network. |
That means it will continue to fly in and out but will not have aircraft and crew based permanently at the airports. | That means it will continue to fly in and out but will not have aircraft and crew based permanently at the airports. |
'Saddened' | |
Easyjet has seven aircraft based at Stansted, with 335 crew. At Southend, there are 183 crew and four aircraft. And there are three aircraft based in Newcastle, with 157 crew. | Easyjet has seven aircraft based at Stansted, with 335 crew. At Southend, there are 183 crew and four aircraft. And there are three aircraft based in Newcastle, with 157 crew. |
The job cut proposals are not limited to the bases that may close, a Unite spokesman said. | The job cut proposals are not limited to the bases that may close, a Unite spokesman said. |
Newcastle Airport said it was "saddened to hear of possible job losses and the significant impact this would cause." | |
"This is very disappointing for the airport, airline and the North East as a whole and we sympathise with everyone affected by this announcement." | |
Travel restrictions | |
EasyJet said in May that it planned up to 4,500 job cuts as it struggled with the collapse in air travel due to the coronavirus crisis. | |
It has started to fly passengers again, but does not expect 2019 levels of demand to be reached again until 2023. | |
Airlines have been hit hard by lockdowns and travel restrictions around the world, with many announcing job cuts. | Airlines have been hit hard by lockdowns and travel restrictions around the world, with many announcing job cuts. |
Reuters reported on Tuesday that Air France/KLM would present a plan to unions on Friday to cut more than 6,500 jobs over the next two years as the airline deals with the effects of the coronavirus crisis. | |
In June Lufthansa said it planned to cut 22,000 jobs, and British Airways said in April that it could cut up to 12,000 jobs from its 42,000-strong workforce. |