East Midlands MEP McClarkin laments closure of EasyJet’s base at local airport

East Midlands MEP, Emma McClarkin, is shocked at the announcement of budget airline EasyJet’s decision to pull out of East Midlands Airport. EasyJet has claimed the operation of three aircrafts carrying around 700,000 passengers a year has “remained stagnant for many years”.

The announcement also included information that flights to and from East Midlands Airport up to the end of the year are “wholly unaffected” and passengers travelling to and from East Midlands beyond the end of this year would be informed well in advance how their travel might be affected.

Miss McClarkin has said that: “The closure of EasyJet’s operation at East Midlands Airport will affect travellers beyond next year. It will permanently restrict the choice of those looking for budget travel for leisure and business purposes from the East Midlands.”

EasyJet has said it has opened a formal 90-day consultation with its crew at East Midlands Airport, adding that it was the airline’s intention to redeploy as many of its 120 staff at the airport as possible.

Miss McClarkin commented: “At any time, but particularly in this economic climate, it must be very worrying for all of the staff of EasyJet who face either unemployment or relocation.
A new budget airline Jet2.com has confirmed plans to set up a base at the airport creating 250 jobs.

Emma McClarkin has said: “I am pleased Jet2.com have a long-term business plan aiming to have four aircraft by 2012. They rightly see the East Midlands region as an attractive prospect for their business.”