UK-based budget carrier easyJet has unveiled its plan to establish a new airline to continue flight operations within the EU after Brexit.
Known as easyJet Europe, the proposed airline will be headquartered in Austria.
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The airline has already submitted an application to Austro Control for an air operator certificate (AOC) and to Austria's Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology (bmvit) for an airline operating licence.
Once approved, the new licences will allow easyJet to fly across Europe and within EU countries, regardless of the outcome of negotiations over flight routes between the UK and the EU after the former leaves the union.
With the new structure, easyJet will become a pan-European airline group with three airlines located in Austria, Switzerland and the UK.
Through the plan, the airline aims to protect its current flying rights within Europe and support an aviation agreement that can facilitate flights between the UK and EU.
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By GlobalDataeasyJet currently operates 100 aircraft and employs around 4,000 people across six EU countries.
Following the creation of easyJet Europe, all existing easyJet employees in the UK will continue to be based in its headquarters in Luton, near London.
The establishment of easyJet Europe is also expected to generate new jobs in Austria.
easyJet further noted that it is planning to re-register 110 planes to fly under the new AOC.
The process is anticipated to be concluded before the UK leaves the EU.
Image: An easyJet flight. Photo: courtesy of easyJet.
