Brexit turbulence to cause summer slowdown for easyJet
Budget airline easyJet has warned of soft ticket sales ahead of the summer holiday season, with the budget carrier pinning the blame on Brexit for Britons delaying or cancelling their summer getaways this year.
The bleak update comes just months after travel brands marched ahead with the summer holiday ad campaign blitz in January / easyJet
Ticket sales have been weak across Europe prompting airlines and travel giants to reduce prices in an effort to tempt people into the skies. So far in 2018, this has slashed easyJet's revenue generated per passenger by 7.4% and contributed to first-half osses of around £275m.
Chief executive, Johan Lundgren, said: “For the second half we are seeing softness in both the UK and Europe, which we believe comes from macroeconomic uncertainty and many unanswered questions surrounding Brexit, which are together driving weaker customer demand.”
The bleak update comes just months after travel brands marched ahead with the summer holiday ad campaign blitz in January, with airlines and operators brushing off Brexit concerns at the time.
An increase in seat capacity (which is driving down fares) coupled with increasing fuel costs and a weak pound could hit the airline's profits this summer.
The brand has already established a Vienna-based airline to operate its European fleet and crew licenses post-Brexit.