EasyJet Europe

EasyJet Europe Airline GmbH, trading under the easyJet brand, is the Austrian-registered airline within the easyJet group. It is headquartered in Vienna and operates scheduled passenger services across Europe alongside the group's British and Swiss airlines. The carrier was created in 2017 in the aftermath of the United Kingdom's referendum decision to leave the European Union. Because European aviation rights and the designation of an airline as an eligible intra-European carrier depend on regulatory requirements concerning an airline's establishment, ownership and operating certificates, easyJet sought an additional Air Operator's Certificate in an EU member state. Austria was selected as the base for the new airline. The company was established on 18 July 2017 and began flying two days later. Its first recorded service used an Airbus A320 transferred from the UK operation and flew from London Luton Airport to Vienna International Airport. The creation of EasyJet Europe allowed the group to continue operating services between, and within, European Union countries after the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU, rather than relying solely on the regulatory status of its UK airline. It also formed part of a broader restructuring in which aircraft and employees based in continental Europe were moved from the UK airline to an EU-based operating company. EasyJet announced plans to transfer or re-register 110 aircraft under the Austrian certificate by March 2019. Aircraft previously operated by easyJet UK were therefore placed on the Austrian register, while some employees who lived and worked in European Union countries moved to the new employing entity. On 30 March 2019, EasyJet Europe began operating flights under its own flight numbers and callsign, marking a further step in the separation of the group's operating certificates. EasyJet Europe is not a separate consumer-facing brand in the same way as an independent airline. Customers generally encounter the common easyJet identity, booking channels, aircraft livery and low-fare proposition, while the operating company may differ according to route, aircraft registration and regulatory jurisdiction. The airline's principal offering is scheduled short- and medium-haul passenger transportation, supported by ancillary services such as baggage, seat selection and other optional travel products sold through the wider easyJet commercial model. It operates in coordination with easyJet UK and easyJet Switzerland, forming a pan-European structure under easyJet plc. The available reference material does not provide a complete current route list, fleet inventory, executive roster or standalone financial statements for EasyJet Europe.

EasyJet Europe was formed as part of easyJet's response to the legal and operational uncertainty created by Brexit. Before its creation, easyJet's principal airline was registered and certified in the United Kingdom, while the group served a substantial network of routes connecting countries within the European Union and other European markets. The United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU raised questions about the future ability of a UK-based carrier to retain the same intra-European traffic rights after withdrawal. To protect continuity, easyJet established an airline in an EU member state and pursued an Austrian Air Operator's Certificate. EasyJet Europe Airline GmbH was incorporated on 18 July 2017 and began flying on 20 July. Its first reported operation was an Airbus A320 service from London Luton Airport to Vienna International Airport. The aircraft had previously been operated by the UK airline and was re-registered for the Austrian entity. The new carrier was designed as an operating company within a wider group rather than as a wholly independent consumer brand. EasyJet plc continued to own the easyJet brand and coordinate the commercial proposition, while the group's airlines held separate regulatory certificates in the United Kingdom, Austria and Switzerland. The Austrian certificate provided an EU-based platform for flights between European countries and helped the group meet the relevant regulatory conditions for a European carrier. The reference material also notes that significant ownership by easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou and his family, who hold Greek-Cypriot citizenship, was relevant to the group's European ownership position. After launch, easyJet transferred aircraft and personnel associated with continental European operations into the Austrian structure. The company announced an intention to place 110 aircraft on the EasyJet Europe certificate by March 2019. Employees of easyJet UK who were based elsewhere in the European Union also moved to the new employing entity. These measures enabled the group to align aircraft registrations, staff arrangements and operational responsibility with the new regulatory structure. A further operational milestone occurred on 30 March 2019, when services operated by EasyJet Europe began using the subsidiary's own flight numbers and callsign. The company consequently became a more distinct operating carrier within the easyJet group, even though passengers continued to experience the common easyJet brand. EasyJet Europe operates scheduled European passenger flights in coordination with easyJet UK and easyJet Switzerland. The available reference material identifies it as an active Austrian low-cost airline but does not establish a complete current fleet list, route catalogue, standalone financial profile or named executive leadership team.

• 2019

  Independent flight identifiers introduced

  [1]EasyJet Europeen.wikipedia.org

  Flights operated by EasyJet Europe began using the airline's own flight numbers and callsign on 30 March 2019.

• 2017

  EasyJet Europe is established

  [1]EasyJet Europeen.wikipedia.org

  EasyJet Europe Airline GmbH was established in Austria on 18 July 2017 as an EU-based operating company for the easyJet group.

• 2017

  First EasyJet Europe flight

  [1]EasyJet Europeen.wikipedia.org

  The airline began operations on 20 July 2017 with an Airbus A320 service from London Luton to Vienna.

A pan-European low-cost airline operating under the easyJet brand, with an Austrian air operator certificate and a focus on scheduled intra-European passenger services.

• Air transport · 2017

  Scheduled European passenger flights

  EasyJet Europe's core product is scheduled point-to-point passenger air travel across European markets. Services are operated within the wider easyJet network and are intended to provide low-fare connections between airports in different European countries, with the precise operating entity determined by the group's regulatory and fleet structure.

• Airline ancillary services

  Ancillary passenger services

  Passengers using EasyJet Europe services can access optional products associated with the wider easyJet commercial model, including checked baggage, seat selection and other travel-related add-ons. The reference material does not identify a separate EasyJet Europe-only ancillary portfolio.

• 2019

  Begin using EasyJet Europe flight identifiersOther

  Background

  The Austrian subsidiary had initially operated within the broader easyJet structure while the group completed its post-Brexit operating arrangements.

  Action taken

  From 30 March 2019, flights operated by EasyJet Europe used their own flight numbers and callsign.

  Aftermath

  The subsidiary became more visibly distinct as an operating airline, while continuing to serve customers under the easyJet brand.

  Source

• 2017

  Create an Austrian EU operating subsidiaryStrategy

  Background

  Brexit created uncertainty over whether the UK-based airline could continue to exercise the same rights for flights between and within EU countries.

  Action taken

  easyJet established EasyJet Europe in Austria and obtained an Austrian Air Operator's Certificate, creating an EU-based platform for relevant operations.

  Aftermath

  The group operated through separate UK, Austrian and Swiss airlines while retaining a unified easyJet customer brand.

  Source

• 2017

  Transfer aircraft and European-based staffStrategy

  Background

  The newly created Austrian carrier required appropriate aircraft registrations and staffing to support its European operating certificate.

  Action taken

  easyJet transferred or re-registered aircraft previously associated with easyJet UK and moved some employees based in continental Europe to EasyJet Europe.

  Aftermath

  easyJet announced a plan to re-register 110 aircraft under the Austrian certificate by March 2019.

  Source

1. 1EasyJet Europeen.wikipedia.org