New EasyJet boss says it has 'crewing issues'

Published on Wednesday 28 July 2010 15:10

CAROLYN McCall, the new chief executive of EasyJet, has admitted to "crewing issues" just three weeks after taking control of the low-cost carrier.

McCall, who was previously chief executive of Guardian Media Group, said the airline would see costs rise by 3 per cent during its current financial year as it has been forced to draft in extra aircraft to bridge gaps in its summer schedule.

EasyJet will bring in at least three extra planes and crew during the summer months to meet its commitments - although some passengers could still see their flights rescheduled. But despite the cost rise, the firm still expects to rake in profits of 100 million-150m this year.

EasyJet has been dogged by questions over its punctuality record since it ceased publishing monthly figures in April 2009. The airline's founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, last week sent a letter to the carrier's board via his lawyers threatening to withdraw permission to use the "Easy" brand unless punctuality is improved. In June, EasyJet had a worse punctuality record than Air Zimbabwe as it was also hit by traffic control strikes in France and ongoing problems with volcanic ash.

The airline's punctuality record has also come under fire from rival Ryanair in recent weeks. In the latest episode in a war of words between the competitors, Ryanair on Monday took out adverts showing a photograph of Robert Mugabe beneath the claim: "Here's EasyJet's new head of punctuality".

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary was forced to apologise to Sir Stelios earlier this month after publishing similar adverts depicting the EasyJet founder as Pinocchio.