easyJet still at Luton

EASYJET, in a long and wordy document justifying events, has confirmed that it is to close its East Midlands (EMA) operation and reduce flying at Luton by 20%.  The airline says it will move capacity to more profitable airports and expects that most of the aircraft will be redeployed to continental European bases.  At the same time it confirmed an increase of August traffic numbers over the same period last year of 4.7% and says for the 12 months to 30 September 2009 it will deliver underlying pre-tax profit in the range of £25m to £50m.  easyJet claims that the EMA operation has remained static for a number of years.  With regard to Luton, the airline’s home base, two factors prevail.  Firstly the cost of operating at the airport which the carrier claims has risen by 25% over the last three years, and secondly the dramatic rise in Airport Passenger Duty (APD), which is affecting traffic.  Both the operator, Spanish company Abertis, and the airport owner Luton Borough Council, come in for criticism from the airline. www.easyjet.com

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