Easyjet summer flights at risk of cancellation and passengers warned of ‘next steps’

EasyJet pilots have rejected a pay rise as summer travel chaos looms. Easyjet, which faces competition from Ryanair, TUI, Jet2 and more, could face flight cancellations and chaos after pilots rejected a pay rise, potentially leading to industrial action.

The airline’s pilots refused a deal which would have increased their salaries to almost £200,000 a year. A source told the Sun newspaper at the weekend after talks broke down: “Balpa has already sounded out members about a strike.”

Summer holiday chaos now looks more likely as easyJet pilots have rejected a huge pay rise – and they will threaten to strike if the deal is not improved, the tabloid newspaper reported ahead of spring and summer.

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The insider continued and added to the Sun: “They hold all the cards and the airline knows it. The authorities must find even more money for pilots, otherwise jet planes will not take off this summer and holidaymakers will face terrible suffering during the trip.”

Union boss Amy Leversidge said: “easyJet’s Balpa pilots rejected the latest pay offer in a vote which had a 94% turnout and a 56.4 ‘no’ vote. We informed the company of the outcome of the vote and requested to meet to discuss the way forward.

EasyJet said: “We are disappointed that the outcome of the pilot pay deal vote fell just short of the required 50%. We will meet with Balpa in the coming days to discuss next steps. »

Ten-year captains earn £163,589 and the proposed deal would have taken that to £190,000 in October and almost £200,000 in April. Senior first officers would have received an extra £20,000 to earn £112,879 a year, while the annual salary of first officers would have risen to £75,446.