Behind the Headlines

Easyjet protesters

The march to the Council offices was in protest at the charges that the company are facing from the airport, which are expected to result in job losses.

They presented a latter to the Leader of the Council complaining about landing costs at the airport which they say are too high and putting 200 jobs at risk.

Before the action took place, Paul Wheeler, of Easyjet's cabin crew, told BBC Three Counties Radio that they wanted to raise awareness of the situation at Luton airport and the job losses that they are possibly facing.

“At the moment we are in consultation with Easyjet so our future is uncertain” he said.

“As cabin crew we are just rising together to try and raise awareness of the situation and hopefully make a difference.”

He also explained why they are holding the Council responsible.

Easyjet protesters

“The council take around £5.00 per person who flies through the airport” he said.

“At those kinds of figures, they have the power to adjust them and make Luton more profitable and make it easier for us to keep our jobs within the airport.

“At the moment we’re paying around £9.00 per person that travels through the airport and this is not competitive with airports around the country. They [the costs] need to come down, and the Council, as the owners of the airport have the power to do [this].”

He also revealed why Easyjet themselves weren’t a target for them?

“They [Easyjet] are having their hand forced by the airport” he said.

“The costs have gone up 25 per cent over three years. In just the last year we’ve seen a 14 per cent reduction of traffic through the airport with a further 20 per cent reduction in the coming months. It can only get worse, the Council need to step in and actually stop this from happening.

“Management have given their support [to this march]” he added, “but it’s actually motivated by us cabin crew. We feel slightly powerless to do anything about this but by getting together and organising a march and getting a petition together hopefully if we can just draw some attention and get the public’s support around this issue.”

Easyjet protesters

In response, Luton Council have said that they will put pressure on Easyjet and Luton Airport to try and resolve their dispute - but they can't force a deal.

This morning [Wed 16 September 2009] Council Leader Hazel Simmons told BBC Three Counties Radio that it's not directly down to them.

“What we did last night was raise a resolution through Council asking Easyjet to reconsider their 20 per cent cut” she said, “but most urgently to urge Easyjet and London Luton Airport Operations Limited to resume as a matter of urgency their negotiations because that’s where the resolution to this issue will be resolved.

“But they have to make that decision. It’s not for the Council, it’s not our remit I’m afraid, but we will put pressure on as much as we can.”