Easyjet has confirmed it will close its bases at Stansted, Southend and Newcastle airports from 1 September after reaching an agreement with the Unite union on voluntary redundancy terms for cabin crew.

As a result of the move, which was first revealed to be under consideration in June, flights due to operate to and from Southend will be cancelled. Some flights to and from Stansted and Newcastle will also be cancelled, but Easyjet said the airports will remain part of its route network. Services from Newcastle to Bristol, Belfast and Nice, as well as from Stansted to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast and Amsterdam will continue.

Passengers affected by cancellations can choose to switch to another Easyjet flight up until 30 September 2021 free of charge, except route changes to and from Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Morocco, claim a voucher for the value of their flight, or request a refund. If customers transfer to a different flight and need to make part of their rebooked journey via train, bus, or hire car, Easyjet will also reimburse those costs.

Following the closures, the airline will operate from eight UK bases.

The cuts are part of Easyjet¡¯s wider restructuring plans, which could see the carrier reduce staffing levels by up to 30 per cent.

CEO Johan Lundgren said: "We have had to take the very difficult decision to close three UK bases as a result of the unprecedented impact of the pandemic and related travel restrictions, compounded by quarantine measures in the UK, which is impacting demand for travel.

"I know this is a very difficult time for our pilots and crew and I would like to thank them for their continued professionalism."

Easyjet said it will continue working with the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) on voluntary redundancies and an individual consultation process.