EasyJet : Europe now operational after award of Austrian AOC and licence

Vienna, 20 July 2017

- New airline 'easyJet Europe' now operational

- First Austrian-registered aircraft flying from Luton to Vienna this morning

- Thomas Haagensen appointed Managing Director of easyJet Europe

- Remaining EU27 based aircraft to be re-registered by March 2019

easyJet can confirm that it has been awarded an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) by Austro Control and an airline operating licence by Austria's Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology (bmvit) which means that easyJet Europe is now operational.

The first aircraft registered to easyJet Europe, OE-IVA, will operate from London Luton to Vienna, departing Luton 07:00 UK time and landing at 10:35 local time today.

easyJet will phase the re-registering of the remaining aircraft, around 110 planes, that are required for its EU based operations into easyJet Europe over the next two winters. This process will be completed in advance of the UK leaving the EU.

easyJet Europe's principal place of business will be in Vienna and the management of easyJet Europe will have full operational control and financial oversight of the company. Thomas Haagensen, currently easyJet's Country Director for Germany, Austria and Switzerland has been appointed to the role of Managing Director for easyJet Europe.

Carolyn McCall, easyJet CEO:

'Today's announcement is the result of an extensive and thorough regulatory process in Austria and I am pleased to confirm that easyJet Europe is now flying with its first flight touching down in its new headquarters of Vienna this morning.

'Austria's aviation regulator Austro Control was selected as it is the best fit for easyJet. Austro Control has a rigorous approach to safety regulation, contributing to EASA's drive towards shaping future safety regulation with an emphasis on performance based safety regulation. I would like to thank the Austrian Government, bmvit and Austro Control for their support during this process and we look forward to a long and successful partnership with them.

'easyJet Europe has a strong management team in place, led by Thomas Haagensen, who will oversee the transfer of the planes and people to the airline. This will ensure easyJet can continue to operate flights both across Europe and domestically within European countries after the UK has left the EU.'

'In addition, like all other European airlines, we continue to lobby for an EU UK aviation agreement which, as a minimum, will enable flights between the EU and the UK.'

Thomas Haagensen, Managing Director easyJet Europe:

'As the process of re-registering easyJet's EU27 aircraft to the Austrian AOC continues over the coming months, I look forward to working with my team and Austro Control to ensure that easyJet Europe's operations continue to meet the highest operational and safety standards.'

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. The new structure means that easyJet is now - and will be after the UK leaves the EU - a pan European airline group with three airlines based in Austria, Switzerland and the UK. All of these will be owned by easyJet plc which itself will be EU owned and controlled, listed on the London Stock Exchange and based in the UK.

2. While the new structure will protect all of easyJet's current flying rights within Europe, easyJet will continue to push for the UK and EU to reach an aviation agreement which, at a minimum, will enable flights between the UK and EU.

3. easyJet currently bases around 100 aircraft and employs around 4000 people across six EU27 countries who will form the basis of easyJet Europe, and does so on local contracts in their based countries and in full compliance with local and EU rules and regulations.

4. The establishment of easyJet Europe will create a number of new jobs in Austria, but no jobs will move from the UK to Austria. All of easyJet's UK employees will continue to be based in Luton and our 11 UK bases and be employed as they are today.

5. easyJet has operated in Austria for 11 years, flying more than a million passengers in 2017. Last year easyJet increased the number of passengers it carried to and from Austria by 60%.

6. Biography: Thomas Haagensen

Thomas Haagensen is easyJet's Country Director for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He joined easyJet in 2008 and in his current role Thomas is responsible for delivering easyJet's strategy, leading the country management teams and ensuring the airline's commercial success in those countries. He also represents easyJet with local media and stakeholders. Thomas has a degree in Business Administration from HEC in Lausanne, Switzerland. He was born & raised in Switzerland, with a multinational background (German mother, Danish father) and is married with two daughters.

About easyJet

easyJet is Europe's leading airline offering a unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe's primary airports, with great value fares and friendly service.

easyJet flies on more of Europe's most popular routes than any other airline. easyJet carries 78 million passengers annually, of which around 20% are travelling on business. easyJet flies over 270 aircraft on more than 800 routes to over 140 airports across 31 countries. More than 300 million Europeans live within one hour's drive of an easyJet airport.

easyJet aims to be a good corporate citizen, employing people on local contracts in seven countries across Europe in full compliance with national laws and recognising their trade unions. The airline supports a number of local charities and also has a corporate partnership with UNICEF which has raised over £9m for the most vulnerable children since it was established in 2012.

The airline takes sustainability seriously. easyJet invests in the latest technology, operates efficiently and fills most of its seats which means that an easyJet passenger's carbon footprint is 22% less than a passenger on a traditional airline, flying the same aircraft on the same route.