easyJet is to axe all of its international flights from Newcastle Airport (NCL) after confirming the closure of its North East base.
The low-cost carrier is also closing operations at London Stansted and Southend from September 1st putting 670 roles at risk.
What has the relationship with easyJet and NCL been like?
easyJet has flown from NCL since 2003 and has 157 crew flying from the airport.
However, the airline has fallen on particularly hard times during the Coronavirus pandemic and has decided to scrap all international flights from the northern region, including trips to popular destinations such as Alicante and Malaga as part of the big restructure.
When will this take effect?
These will come into effect as of September 1st with flights to Nice being the only exception. It is expected that these flights will halt around the end of October 2020.
easyJet has revealed that customers will only be able to fly to Belfast and Bristol from NCL.
Johan Lundgren, easyJet Chief Executive said:
We have had to take the very difficult decision to close three UK bases as a result of the unprecedented impact of the pandemic and related travel restrictions, compounded by quarantine measures in the UK which is impacting demand for travel.
Working closely with our employee representatives, I am pleased that we have been able to identify ways to significantly reduce the number of proposed compulsory redundancies through providing enhanced voluntary redundancy packages for all UK crew alongside additional options like part time and seasonal contracts, base transfers and unpaid leave which we expect to result in reducing the number of job losses overall.
“We would like to reassure customers due to fly from these airports that we are now contacting anyone whose flight is affected with clear advice on their options which include rerouting via alternative airports or receiving a full refund.
This decision will mean the closest easyJet base in the North will be Manchester or Liverpool.
Travel Radar reported on the threatened base closures back in June when easyJet put the bases on notice of closure and began a 45-day consultation period with members of staff.
A Newcastle International Airport spokeswoman said:
As of today easyJet concluded its staff consultation and has taken the decision to close three UK bases including Newcastle International Airport. Our thoughts go out to all easyJet staff who have been affected.
The North East has a long-standing relationship with easyJet and whilst this base closure will impact flights to all their international destinations the airline will maintain year-round services to Belfast, Bristol and Nice for this summer only.
Over 80% of the international destinations affected are already served by our existing airline partners and we will continue discussions regarding their interest in the other impacted destinations.
Travel Radar will continue to provide further updates on the base closures as they become available.
Have you been affected by these closures? Let us know in the comments or get in touch: [email protected]
I travel to UK from Nice – Stansted several times a year, family, and many friends live in Essex. Aged 82 Gatwick and Luton will extend journey times, also pose difficulties for family to meet me etc. A long haul flight with BA was dreadful, rude cabin crew, never again. Ryanair never again, think TGV the best option, but more hassle London – Chelmsford. East of England is being left out in the cold. Your thoughts/ideas other than ‘don’t come home’………..! would be appreciated