Jobs axe to fall on GB Airline marketers
GB Airways’ marketing department is expected to be axed when it is taken over by easyJet in the New Year.
It is understood that the airline’s cabin crew and pilots will remain with the airline but other a question mark hangs over other staff, including the five-strong marketing team once the deal is completed.Although the GB offices in Gatwick will be closed down it is thought that some staff may be offered posts at easyJet’s headquarters at Luton airport.
The airline currently operates under a franchise agreement with British Airways, but will be sold to Luton-based easyJet in January. The £103m deal was announced last month.
GB Airways serves 31 destinations and operates 15 Airbus aircraft. It runs 28 routes from Gatwick and six from Manchester.
It also has five routes out of Heathrow that are being retained by BA, which is reducing its presence at Gatwick as it concentrates its operation on Terminal Five at Heathrow. The purchase will also strengthen easyJet’s presence at Gatwick, the airline’s biggest base.
Earlier this month, easyJet announced record profits for the year to the end of September despite oil price increases. Underlying profits increased 48% from £129.2m to £191.3m. This followed a 56% rise the previous year.
It forecasts a further increase of 20% in underlying profits for the coming year excluding the impact of taking over GB Airways. It adds that fuel costs remain “challenging”.
