EasyJet warns of heavy losses and continuing flight cuts

Although the airline said in a trading update it had taken tough action to cut costs, the warning underlines the continuing challenges for the industry.

This year’s annual loss will be the first in EasyJet’s 25-year history.

Sky News has reported that EasyJet has signalled to the government that it may need more financial support.

There was no reference about needing state aid in the trading statement.

However, chief executive Johan Lundgren said: “Aviation continues to face the most severe threat in its history and the UK government urgently needs to step up with a bespoke package of measures to ensure airlines are able to support economic recovery when it comes.”

The airline said it expected to sink into a pre-tax loss of between £815m and £845m in the current financial year, which is worse than analysts’ forecasts of a £794m loss.

State aid

The carrier has already taken a £600m loan from the government, cut 4,500 jobs, raised £608m from selling aircraft and tapped shareholders for £419m.

EasyJet’s statement said it would “continue to review its liquidity position on a regular basis and will continue to assess further funding opportunities, including sale and lease backs, should the need arise”.

Sky News reported on Wednesday that the airline had warned government ministers it could need further financial support.

It is understood that no formal request has been made, but an EasyJet source said the airline “would keep all its funding options open” as it enters what could be a difficult winter trading period.

With air travel at very low levels, most European airlines are losing money, and EasyJet’s larger low-cost rival Ryanair has called this winter a “write-off”.

EasyJet said ongoing travel restrictions meant it would fly just 25% of planned capacity for the rest of 2020 and into 2021, behind Ryanair which is aiming for 40% in October. EasyJet’s capacity figure for the key July-September months was 38%.

Holidaymakers are booking at a “very late stage” and demand for destinations is shifting rapidly due to ever-changing quarantine rules, EasyJet added.