The boss of easyJet is blaming Brexit in part for its numerous flight cancellations this summer.
Britain’s biggest budget carrier has been axing around 30-60 services a day amid staff shortages, and today announced it would be preemptively cutting hundreds more over the summer.
Rather than running 97 per cent of the pre-Covid summer programme, easyJet now expects to operate 90 per cent.
Johann Lundgren, the airline’s chief executive, told The Independent that some of the operating issues were down to difficulties hiring workers after Brexit: “The pool of people is smaller, it’s just maths.
“We have to turn down a huge number of EU nationals because of Brexit.”
The government has vehemently denied that the chaos seen at UK airports in recent months has anything to do with the country’s departure from the EU.
Last week the aviation minister, Robert Courts, told MPs on the business select committee it was “not likely” that Brexit played a part in airlines’ and airports’ chronic staff shortages.
Meanwhile, Heathrow has asked airlines flying from Terminals 2 and 3 to cancel 10 per cent of their schedules today due to mounting problems with its baggage handling.
An estimated 15,000 passengers on 90 flights will be affected.
Turn up three hours early for UK flights, says Brussels airport
Brussels airport expects to reopen to departing flights on Tuesday, but warns passengers to the UK to turn up three hours ahead.
The Belgian hub has seen a strike by security staff working for G4S.
The airport tweeted: “We remind you that due to the national demonstration on Monday, no departing passenger flights are operated. For Tuesday and Wednesday, we expect a large number of passengers following the rebookings of the reservations initially planned for Monday.
“For departures, please arrive at the airport in time: 2 hours in advance for Schengen flights and 3 hours in advance for non-Schengen flights. Check the status of your flight and prepare your hand luggage in order to limit screening times.
“For arriving flights, please check the flight status on our website, as flight times may be affected.”
Brussels airport has also explained its decision to close on Monday, saying: “This case of force majeure makes it impossible to guarantee the safety of passengers and staff. This decision is needed to avoid chaotic situations.”
Simon Calder20 June 2022 15:47
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