EasyJet to pull planes from Venice, Naples on demand slump

EasyJet will stop basing planes in Venice and Naples over coming months, pulling back from the Italian cities in a nod to flagging demand for air travel. The low-cost airline will offer fewer flights to the popular leisure destinations during the winter season and serve them from other hubs, it said in an emailed statement on Wednesday. No flights will operate from the Venice base through March 27, EasyJet said, while it plans a restart in Naples on Dec. 17. EasyJet cited the effects of the resurgent Covid-19 pandemic, which has led authorities to reimpose restrictions on travel throughout the region. Staff who are already on furlough will remain on an Italian program. EasyJet continues to consult with unions on broader staff cuts including in Germany, Portugal and Switzerland. The decision is a sign of persistent weak demand at EasyJet, which already lowered a target for reaching 40% of capacity in the September quarter. Europe’s second-largest discount carrier -- one of the biggest operators at both Italian locations -- is scheduled to give a trading update on Thursday. It hasn’t offered a capacity outlook for the winter season that is under way now and carries through Easter.<br/>