tornado
24-07-2008, 18:02
http://www.airport-int.com/images/industrynews/Easyjet%20737.jpgLow-fare giant Easyjet has become the latest airline to announce flight cuts at UK airports.
The airline confirmed on Thursday that it will cut 12% of its capacity at Stansted Airport for the winter 2008-2009 schedule.
Additionally, the airline said the growth in routes and capacity it planned for its winter schedule will be scaled back to between 4% and 6%.
Easyjet's director of communications, Toby Nicol, said the airline also had the option of pulling up to 45 aircraft from its fleet in order to reduce costs.
Easyjet Flight Hubs
Stansted is a major UK hub for Easyjet. Overall, the airline currently operates from 20 airports across Europe.
Earlier this year the airline's fleet and airport route network expanded with the acquisition of former British Airways franchise airline GB Airways.
Announcing the flight cuts, Easyjet said that it would reduce the number of flights during less profitable times.
The airline also said it would reallocate aircraft from less popular airports to better-performing hubs.
It is expected that more aircraft will be placed at Gatwick Airport and at the airline's hubs in France and Italy.
Airline Flight Cuts
Easyjet's announcement is further proof of an industry fighting hard to counter continuing cost increases.
Last week, low-cost rival Ryanair announced large cuts to its capacity and route network.
The Irish airline is reducing its fleet by 10% for the forthcoming winter schedule, reducing flights from Stansted and its main Dublin base, and withdrawing entirely from seven bases in Europe.
Indeed, Easyjet said it was considering the future of its hub at Dortmund in Germany as part of its cost-saving plans.
In the US, mainline carriers such as American, Delta, United and US Airways have all recently announced double-digit cuts in the number of flights being offered for the winter schedule.
Meanwhile, expansion projects at several US airports have been put on hold as airport operators examine the consequences of airlines reducing capacity.
Source - Airport International's Aviation Correspondent
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More... (http://www.airport-int.com/news/2008/07/24/easyjet-cut-uk-airport-flightsroutes-for-winter-schedule)
The airline confirmed on Thursday that it will cut 12% of its capacity at Stansted Airport for the winter 2008-2009 schedule.
Additionally, the airline said the growth in routes and capacity it planned for its winter schedule will be scaled back to between 4% and 6%.
Easyjet's director of communications, Toby Nicol, said the airline also had the option of pulling up to 45 aircraft from its fleet in order to reduce costs.
Easyjet Flight Hubs
Stansted is a major UK hub for Easyjet. Overall, the airline currently operates from 20 airports across Europe.
Earlier this year the airline's fleet and airport route network expanded with the acquisition of former British Airways franchise airline GB Airways.
Announcing the flight cuts, Easyjet said that it would reduce the number of flights during less profitable times.
The airline also said it would reallocate aircraft from less popular airports to better-performing hubs.
It is expected that more aircraft will be placed at Gatwick Airport and at the airline's hubs in France and Italy.
Airline Flight Cuts
Easyjet's announcement is further proof of an industry fighting hard to counter continuing cost increases.
Last week, low-cost rival Ryanair announced large cuts to its capacity and route network.
The Irish airline is reducing its fleet by 10% for the forthcoming winter schedule, reducing flights from Stansted and its main Dublin base, and withdrawing entirely from seven bases in Europe.
Indeed, Easyjet said it was considering the future of its hub at Dortmund in Germany as part of its cost-saving plans.
In the US, mainline carriers such as American, Delta, United and US Airways have all recently announced double-digit cuts in the number of flights being offered for the winter schedule.
Meanwhile, expansion projects at several US airports have been put on hold as airport operators examine the consequences of airlines reducing capacity.
Source - Airport International's Aviation Correspondent
Recent Related News Items:
Impact of the Global Economic Situation -
Airlines Cut UK Airport Flights (http://www.airport-int.com/news/2008/07/17/airlines-cut-uk-airport-flights)
'Empty Flights' From Heathrow Airport (http://www.airport-int.com/news/2008/07/16/empty-flights-from-heathrow-airport)
Possible Airport Expansion Delays At Denver (http://www.airport-int.com/news/2008/07/15/possible-airport-expansion-delays-at-denver)
US Airport Improvement Projects Delayed (http://www.airport-int.com/news/2008/07/09/us-airport-improvement-projects-delayed)
US Airports Facing Flight Cuts (http://www.airport-int.com/news/2008/07/01/us-airports-facing-flight-cuts)
Higher Fuel Surcharges For BA Premium Passengers (http://www.airport-int.com/news/2008/06/23/higher-fuel-surcharges-for-ba-premium-passengers)
More... (http://www.airport-int.com/news/2008/07/24/easyjet-cut-uk-airport-flightsroutes-for-winter-schedule)