easyJet (London Luton) has announced it may station seven fewer aircraft at Berlin Brandenburg International during winter 2022 citing high and rising airport fees and slower than expected recovery in demand in Germany.
This means a reduction from 18 to 11 aircraft in the German capital, potentially putting the jobs of 275 pilots and cabin crew members at risk.
“The expected demand for travel, high airport fees, and our efforts to optimise our network as a consequence of the pandemic means it is necessary to restructure our operations,” Country Manager Germany, Stephan Erler, explained in a statement.
“We remain committed to our location at BER Airport – where we have carried more than 80 million passengers since we started our operations to and from Berlin/Brandenburg in 2004.”
He said the planned restructuring was part of the airline’s strategy to focus on profitable routes, optimise its network, and ensure sustainable, profitable operations for the long-term in Berlin. He did not detail which destinations would no longer be served from Berlin.
The airline said it would work closely with trade union representatives to minimise potential job losses and hoped to relocate staff in vacant positions elsewhere in the company.
