British low-cost airline easyJet has begun consultations on plans to close bases at Stansted, Southend and Newcastle, putting 727 of its UK-based pilots at risk of redundancy, as well as a third of its entire workforce.
Although it is vital that easyJet cuts costs to operate efficiently amid the current level of demand for air travel, there is a danger that its streamlining initiatives could be too aggressive. The airline could end up being left bare and short of labor if demand continues to surge as European governments continue to relax travel restrictions – pilots that are made redundant wonโt simply sit back and wait for the airline to re-employ them when sufficient demand levels return.
IATA does not expect pre-coronavirus demand levels to return until at least 2023. Although easyJet and many other carriers have echoed these sentiments, they shouldnโt completely bank on this being the case. The airline needs to put itself in a position where it can react quickly to sudden changes in the external environment ready to consume more of the returning demand.
Although limiting cost-cutting plans comes with obvious risks, airlines need to find a happy medium to have both scenarios covered in the event of pick up in sustained demand that is quicker than expected.
#rebuildingtravel
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- The airline needs to put itself in a position where it can react quickly to sudden changes in the external environment ready to consume more of the returning demand.
- Although it is vital that easyJet cuts costs to operate efficiently amid the current level of demand for air travel, there is a danger that its streamlining initiatives could be too aggressive.
- Although limiting cost-cutting plans comes with obvious risks, airlines need to find a happy medium to have both scenarios covered in the event of pick up in sustained demand that is quicker than expected.