EasyJet To Offer Pilots, Cabin Crew Unpaid Leave This Winter

"Budget carrier, easyJet PLC will offer pilots and cabin crew unpaid leave as part of a broader drive to save GBP125 million a year by Sept. 2011, according to documents posted on its Web site Monday. The airline said it wants to save GBP30 million a year by Sept. 2011 by upgrading I.T. systems to help roster staff more efficiently, and by offering unpaid leave. It will also hire new crew on fixed-term and seasonal contracts rather than offering them permanent contracts. A spokesman for easyJet said the temporary contract initiative had already been in place for two summers and helped deal with that peak travel period. The unpaid leave is being offered over the winter season, when demand is traditionally weak."