Easyjet plans to cut crew numbers

Easyjet has announced plans to reduce crew numbers

Low-cost airline Easyjet is holding consultations on reducing the number of its crew in Belfast, the company has announced.

The airline said it also planned to reduce crew numbers at Bristol, Newcastle and Stansted airports.

A spokesperson said they intended to make 40 cuts in total between the four airports and that 10 people at most would be affected in Belfast.

She said they were being made to keep staff numbers in line with operations.

"There are sufficient opportunities within Easyjet's growing network for all employees who are affected and it is Easyjet's intention to redeploy as many as possible," a statement said.

The company said routes out of Belfast International Airport would not be affected by the staff reductions.

Staff were given news of the potential job losses on Thursday morning.

EasyJet also plans to close its East Midlands base and reduce services at Luton airport by 20%.

It has blamed the cutbacks at Luton on "the airport's failure to recognise the commercial realities of the recession".

The company said its East Midlands airport operation had "remained stagnant for many years".

There has been a long-running row between Easyjet and Luton Airport over the level of landing charges.

The budget airline has said negotiations have broken down and they are looking to relocate 20% of their flights to another airport.