Over 2,000 easyJet pilots (99.9%) have voted overwhelmingly to express no confidence in the company’s Chief Operations Officer, Peter Bellew. This result clearly shows that there is a serious and widening rift between easyJet pilots and the airline’s senior management.

The ballot was organised by the pilots union BALPA following the airline’s poor handling of the fall-out from the Coronavirus crisis and the collapse in pilot morale following Bellew’s appointment and actions earlier this year. BALPA represents over 90% of easyJet’s pilots and a show of unity on this scale and expression of disapproval in the direction and management of the business is unprecedented in easyJet.

Peter Bellew was previously Chief Operations Officer at Ryanair and only joined easyJet in January this year.

It is absolutely vital that easyJet takes immediate steps to restore trust in the senior management team that has completely broken down. This means treating the easyJet pilot community and their representatives with respect and negotiating honestly and in good faith.

BALPA maintains that the 727 UK pilot job losses proposed by easyJet is a completely unrealistic figure. easyJet’s pilots have now clearly demonstrated their desire to stay united and fight for every single job.