easyJet (London Luton) is planning to set up a European subsidiary, easyJet Europe (EC, Vienna), to be headquartered in Vienna. The move is a pre-emptive protective measure ahead of Brexit negotiations which may restrict the UK-based airline's European movements. The airline already has a subsidiary in Switzerland.
In a statement, easyJet says that it applied for an Austrian Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from civil aviation authority Austro Control earlier this year, as well as an airline operating licence from the Federal Ministry for Transport. The low-cost carrier says that the "accreditation process is now well advanced and easyJet hopes to receive the AOC and licence in the near future".
easyJet emphasised that no British jobs would be lost as a result of the new company. "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 London Luton and our eleven UK bases and employed as they are today," the statement said.
A previous report from Austrian daily Kurier said that easyJet could potentially move up to 160 A320 family aircraft to its Austrian AOC.
Although the measure is designed to protect easyJet's operations post-Brexit, the carrier is hopeful that an aviation agreement will be reached which will keep skies open between the UK and the European Union.