The chief operating officer of easyJet, Peter Bellew, has resigned amid growing anger over flight disruption. The airline has axed thousands of flights recently, including many on the day they were due to depart.
Johan Lundgren, easyJet’s chief executive, said: “I would like to thank Peter for his hard work and wish him well. Everyone at easyJet remains absolutely focused on delivering a safe and reliable operation this summer.”
Mr Bellew, who joined easyJet two-and-a-half years ago, resigned to “pursue other business opportunities”, according to the Luton-based carrier. The airline’s statement continued: “easyJet remains absolutely focused on our daily operation and continues to monitor this very closely, having taken pre-emptive action to build further resilience for the summer due to the current operating environment. The airline continues to operate up to 1,700 flights each day and carry up to 250,000 passengers.”
Read more: Fuel price go-slow protests bring major rush-hour disruption to UK motorway network
The aviation sector is struggling to cope with the rising demand for travel amid staff shortages and difficulties obtaining security clearance for new recruits. Trade union Unite last month claimed there was a “lack of leadership” within easyJet, and Mr Bellew should be “taking control of this situation”.
EasyJet has appointed David Morgan – who has been with the airline since 2016 – as interim chief operations officer. Mr Lundgren said: “I am pleased that operations will be in the very capable hands of David Morgan who can move seamlessly into this role having previously led the operation, as interim chief operating officer, throughout 2019.
Read Next:
-
New driving laws: Major changes to be introduced in July affecting UK drivers
-
Petrol station staff report surge in verbal abuse over high fuel prices as costs soar
-
Fuel thefts soar to record levels as forecourt prices keep on rising
-
Gosforth school to become second in Newcastle to ban cars outside its gates this summer
-
Metros to be off between St James and Tynemouth for two weeks for major bridge work
