EasyJet offers £1,000 bonus as airlines battle to recruit staff

Image source, PA Media

At the end of the summer holiday season, EasyJet will give new and existing cabin crew a 1,000 bonus.

The airline expects a busy summer with travel at pre-covid levels.

Last month it was revealed that British Airways is offering the same amount to new joiners.

Demand for holidays has gone up since the UK ended travel restrictions.

The aviation industry shed thousands of jobs during the Pandemic and airports and airlines have been racing to recruit staff for months as they plan for a bumper summer. Some have had trouble hiring new staff quickly.

EasyJet and British Airways have been forced to cancel hundreds of flights due to workforce shortages and Covid absences.

Some airports have blamed a lack of staff for incidents of long lines and passengers missing flights.

The Civil Aviation Authority wrote to airports in April expressing concern over the impact of staff shortages.

British Airways invited some workers who had previously left to come back, even though they had expressed an interest in returning.

The back row of seats on some aircraft will be taken out so that they can fly with three cabin crew instead of four. This would comply with the regulations.

The budget airline has hired 1,700 crew, up from its initial goal of 1,500.

It can take months to get new aviation staff trained.

The training of new staff will be allowed to begin before background checks have been completed in order to speed up the process. The law change will take effect on May 20.