LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - British airline easyJet
confirmed on Monday it would close three of its bases in the
United Kingdom resulting in the loss of up to 670 jobs as the
coronavirus pandemic continues to squeeze the travel industry.
EasyJet said in May that it would need to axe 4,500 jobs
across Europe to prepare for a smaller travel market due to the
pandemic, and is starting that contraction by closing bases at
London Stansted, London Southend and Newcastle airports.
The outlook for airlines darkened last week after France
joined Spain on Britain's quarantine list, deterring travel to
the two most popular destinations for Britons and dashing hopes
for an August recovery.
EasyJet's bigger rival Ryanair said on Monday that
it would reduce its flight capacity by a further 20% during
September and October after a reimposition of travel
restrictions led to a notable weakness in forward bookings.
Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet, blamed "the
unprecedented impact of the pandemic and related travel
restrictions" for the base closures and said in a statement that
Britain's quarantine measures were affecting demand.
Up to 670 pilots and crew work at the three bases and many
of those will lose their jobs. They will make up some of the
1,900 jobs in Britain that easyJet flagged in May would go as
part of the 4,500 European total.
An easyJet spokeswoman said that it was likely that fewer
than 1,900 jobs would actually be lost in the UK due to
agreements on part time and seasonal contracts, base transfers
and unpaid leave. There will also be less compulsory job cuts
due to agreements on voluntary redundancy.
(Reporting by Sarah Young; editing by Michael Holden)
easyJet (EZJ)
