EasyJet ditches Stansted switch

Low-cost airline easyJet has decided against moving away from its headquarters at Luton, it was announced today.

Having acquired rival carrier Go, easyJet contemplated setting up its HQ at Stansted airport in Essex.

But today easyJet said that having looked at a total of 62 sites, it had earmarked three in the Luton area.

It said that it hoped a 40,000-60,000 square feet building would be home to 250 management and administration staff from next spring.

It will also host a 150-seater telephone sales and customer service centre, with a 100-seater telephone sales centre remaining in Stansted.

EasyJet said it hoped Go staff – based at Stansted – would want to relocate to Luton and that it did not expect any job losses.

A significant contributory factor for choosing Luton was the assisted area status that the town holds.

This enables companies to apply for regional selective assistance – a Government grant available to companies investing over £500,000 in expansion or relocation to the town.

Go and easyJet will be operating separately until next May after which all aircraft will fly in easyJet colours.