EasyJet has announced it will lay off 5,000 staff and potentially close three of its airport hubs.

The travel giant, which says it will aim to minimise job losses ‘as far as possible’, said the changes are being made as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The company proposes the potential closure of three of its UK bases – in Stansted, Southend and Newcastle – although they will still be used as part of EasyJet’s route network.

An EasyJet spokesperson said: ‘As part of our update to the market on May 28 EasyJet set out that it may need to reduce staff numbers by up to 30% as well as optimise its network and bases as a result of the pandemic.

‘EasyJet has today started formal consultation on proposals with employee representatives including Balpa and Unite on all of its UK based pilots and crew. 

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‘The proposals include the potential closing of three of its bases in the UK – London Stansted, London Southend and Newcastle. These airports would remain part of EasyJet’s route network.

‘We have also informed all employees who may be directly affected by these proposals and will be providing full support to our people during this difficult time. 

‘We are fully committed to work closely with our employee representatives during these consultations with the aim of minimising job losses as far as possible.’

Airport hubs are the main bases airlines fly from. At the moment Southend, Stansted and Newcastle are three of those hubs for EasyJet, so a larger number of flights go through them.

If they are removed as bases they will still be on EasyJet routes, but there may be fewer flights from them in future.

Other airlines are also struggling as a result of the pandemic, with British Airways bosses admitting up to 12,000 staff could be laid off and cabin crew also face a pay cut.

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