EasyJet 'still selling tickets for axed flights'

"People planning to fly out of East Midlands Airport are being urged to exercise caution when booking flights with soon-to-be departed carrier easyJet. The no-frills airline this month announced that it would be withdrawing from the regional base, promising only that services up to the New Year would go ahead. But owing to legal complications it has emerged that the carrier is still selling tickets for well beyond that period – and will have to continue doing so for several weeks. The problem stems from the fact that easyJet's plans are subject to a 90-day consultation period – intended to protect the 120 staff who face redundancy. While pundits say the airline is unlikely to change any plans – with several rival carriers already eyeing up its landing slots – the rules of the consultation period state that nothing can be done to prejudice negotiations, and that includes cancelling flights. EasyJet is reportedly so concerned about a backlash from customers that it had gone public about the situation, effectively saying its hands have been tied."