EasyJet announced on Monday that in response to subsequent flight restrictions at its two largest airports, London Gatwick and Amsterdam, it is canceling a number of flights to give customers time to reevaluate their trip and find a solution. Flights from other airports will also be affected.
This is reported by the low-cost airline. The keeperwhat is expected with this advance notice is that most passengers will be able to receive alternative flights within 24 hours, preferably on the same day they originally planned their trip.
The reduction in EasyJet transport capacity this summer is directly related to the acute shortage of employees in the aviation sector.
“Unfortunately, the current challenging operating environment continues to have an impact, leading to cancellations,” EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said, adding that “along with the airport ceiling, preventative measures are being taken to increase resistance due to summer balance. “.
Due to the “unprecedented” resumption of flights in the first half of 2022 after the lifting of health restrictions, “aviation in Europe is facing operational difficulties”, which include “traffic management delays and staff shortages” at airports, which have led to successive flight delays and cancellations .
He adds that the industry’s “tight job market, including flight attendants, and increased time to verify the identity” of applicants for aviation jobs is hampering efforts to speed up the offer.
“This is reflected in the recently announced flight restrictions at our two largest airports, Gatwick, London and Amsterdam,” he emphasizes, adding that “this is the right thing to do (…) in these difficult conditions.”
Gatwick Airport announced on Friday that it is limiting the number of daily flights in July and August to avoid a repeat of the chaos seen at airports in recent weeks.
“These measures will come at a high cost,” the British low-cost airline warns in a statement, without giving details but adding that the medium-term outlook remains “attractive”.
EasyJet also highlights that bookings for the fourth quarter of the year (which ends September 30) are already at pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
The UK carrier’s outlook for the third quarter ending June 30 now points to 87% capacity compared to FY 2019 levels, up from a forecast of 90%.
This adds up to a total of 140,000 flights, 22 million passengers and 550% capacity compared to the same period in 2021, when pandemic-related restrictions still paralyzed most air traffic.
In the fourth quarter, from July to September, transport capacity is expected to be around 90% of FY 2019 levels, compared to a forecast of 97%.
