EASYJET is believed to be preparing to announce plans to
reign in capacity growth in a statement to the City
tomorrow.
The airline will put out a ‘pre-close’ statement at 7am, which
will outline current trading.
It is expected to say capacity growth will be reduced from
around 25% to between 10% and 15% in the face of tough trading
conditions.
Rumours suggest the airline could also unveil the closure of
routes or a peripheral base, or an accelerated retirement programme
of its Boeing 737 fleet.
Chief executive Ray Webster has been ruthlessly culling
expensive airports from the airline’s route network and told the
World Low Fares Congress Amsterdam Schipol is close to being
cut.
Webster said: “How soon could we be pulling out of Amsterdam?
Very soon. The threat is very real.
“We have shown with Zurich that we won’t tolerate airports that
overcharge. Amsterdam has a choice to make.”
An EasyJet spokesman confirmed the airline would be making an
announcement tomorrow but refused to comment on details.