Member Article

EasyJet moves to open Austria operation to maintain post-Brexit EU operations

Budget carrier EasyJet has applied for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in Austria as it looks to continue flying in the EU following Brexit.

The airline has applied to Austro Control for its certificate and Austria’s Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology for an airline operating licence which will allow it to set up new its new Vienna-headquartered airline EasyJet Europe.

While the airline said it would still continue to put pressure on the government and policymakers to protect flights between the UK and EU post-Brexit, the new airline is part of moves to minimise disruption and protect flight routes across Europe in the event that the UK tumbles out of the EU without a deal.

In an announcement to the Stock Exchange, the airline stated: “Following a rigorous and comprehensive process, easyJet earlier this year applied to Austro Control for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and to Austria’s Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology (bmvit) for an airline operating licence.

“The accreditation process is now well advanced and easyJet hopes to receive the AOC and licence in the near future.”

If approved, the new airline, which will turn EasyJet into a pan-European operation, will create some new jobs in Austria but EasyJet has promised that no jobs will move from the UK to the continent.