Peter Bellew has stepped down as Chief Operating Officer with the company saying he wishes to pursue other career opportunities
By Thanasis Gavou
The resignation was submitted by the number 2 in the hierarchy of the airline easyJet Peter Bellew amid the ongoing air travel chaos in Britain and Europe.
The well-known low-cost carrier has canceled approx 1000 flights for the July-September quarteri.e. about 6% of its scheduled flights for this period.
Although many flights have been canceled in the last month and a half, with some being canceled even at the last minute, resulting in passengers suffering.
The same is true with most of the other airlines, a problem mainly due to the lack of staff at companies and airports. These shortages have been created because the gaps created by layoffs amid the pandemic have not been filled.
Strict identity and security checks for new recruits in the sector, as well as restrictions on hiring Europeans due to Brexit, are worsening the situation for the British aviation industry.
Mr. Beliu resigned from his post General Manager of Operations with the company saying he wishes to pursue other career opportunities.
Last month easyJet workers’ unions accused Mr Belliu of a “leadership deficit” calling for him to take back control.
Problems for the airline’s passengers are expected to intensify in July, as cabin crew in Spain have called nine 24-hour strikes during the month.
Meanwhile, more flight cancellations are expected to be announced in Britain by the end of the week, as the government has allowed changes to the flight schedule without penalty until Friday. The permission from the government is intended to limit last-minute inconvenience to the traveling public.
Also on Sunday, an easyJet flight from London Gatwick to Menorca had to be escorted to its destination by a Spanish F-18 fighter after an 18-year-old British passenger posted a bomb threat on social media.
The young prankster, who was traveling with five friends, spent the night in a Spanish detention center and will be brought to justice.
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