French EasyJet pilots appeal to founder Stelios over cost cuts

EasyJet’s French pilots have appealed to Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the carrier’s founder and biggest shareholder, to intervene in a dispute with management over the impact of cost cuts. The SNPL union wrote to Stelios complaining that the company’s Lean savings program has led to flight cancellations, delays in the payment of more than E500,000 (US$591,000) in wages, rifts with suppliers and concerns about safety amid crew fatigue. “Pilots are being asked to use their discretionary power to exceed the legal flight time limits to facilitate an unachievable program, to the detriment of passenger and crew safety,” the SNPL said in an open letter, urging Stelios to “restore the values” of the “tarnished” airline. EasyJet said that it’s “surprised” by the complaints, having engaged the union in a “continuous constructive dialog.” <br/>