Following a string of delays and cancellations at the airline in recent weeks, the COO at EasyJet has announced his resignation. The airline wished Peter Bellew well and stated that he had gone “to pursue other business opportunities.”
It follows the abrupt cancellation of tens of thousands of EasyJet flights. The trade union Unite criticized the airline’s “lack of leadership” last month, and Mr. Bellew was encouraged to “take control.”
Johan Lundgren, the chief executive of EasyJet, said the airline was “completely focused on delivering a safe and reliable operation this summer” when he announced Mr. Bellew’s resignation.
David Morgan, “who will provide solid leadership for the airline this summer,” will hold the interim chief operating officer position, according to him.
Currently serving as director of flight operations, Mr. Morgan joined EasyJet in 2016. As the interim chief operating officer in 2019, he had previously oversaw all aspects of the airline’s operations.
The epidemic caused thousands of jobs in the aviation industry to be lost, but it is now having difficulty keeping up with the increase in demand for travel.
In recent months, cancellations have been one of EasyJet’s greatest problems. It has canceled thousands of flights, many of which were scheduled to leave on the day in question.
To increase resilience and in reaction to limitations set by London Gatwick and Amsterdam Schiphol airports, it announced late last month that it would be canceling certain flights over the summer.
According to the statement, customers would have a head’s up and the option to rebook.
EasyJet stated that it would not be making any additional cancellation announcements this week, despite the fact that it will have taken advantage of the government’s “amnesty” on landing slot requests as part of this strategy. It stated that the last consumers who will be impacted would learn on Monday.
However, in a disagreement over wages, the unions that represent EasyJet cabin workers in Spain have scheduled a string of 24-hour strikes for July.
A further six days of strike action are scheduled for later this month after the first one, which occurred over the weekend.
Following Mr. Bellew’s retirement announcement, EasyJet shares—which have already retreated to their March 2020 lows at the outset of the pandemic—traded about 3% lower, making it one of the FTSE 250 index’s worst losers.
As the government has given carriers until Friday to report schedule modifications without incurring a potential penalty, further cancellations from a variety of airlines are anticipated this week.
During the busiest summer vacation period, the change is an effort to minimize inconvenience.
