EasyJet confirms UK base closures as travel pain continues

EasyJet confirmed Monday it would close three of its bases in the UK resulting in the loss of up to 670 jobs as the coronavirus pandemic continues to squeeze the travel industry. EasyJet said in May that it would need to axe 4,500 jobs across Europe to prepare for a smaller travel market due to the pandemic, and is starting that contraction by closing bases at London Stansted, London Southend and Newcastle airports. The outlook for airlines darkened last week after France joined Spain on Britain's quarantine list, deterring travel to the two most popular destinations for Britons and dashing hopes for an August recovery. Johan Lundgren, CE of easyJet, blamed "the unprecedented impact of the pandemic and related travel restrictions" for the base closures and said that Britain's quarantine measures were affecting demand. Up to 670 pilots and crew work at the three bases and many of those will lose their jobs. They will make up some of the 1,900 jobs in Britain that easyJet flagged in May would go as part of the 4,500 European total.<br/>