“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,” said chief executive Johan Lundgren.

easyJet closed its large base at London Stansted Airport (STN) in late 2020 as a direct result of the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation industry. Prior to the pandemic, Stansted was a significant hub for easyJet, having inherited a large presence there from its takeover of Go Fly in 2003. However, the collapse in travel demand forced the airline to streamline its operations and focus on its most profitable "primary" bases at London Gatwick (LGW) and London Luton (LTN). Stansted has long been the primary stronghold of easyJet’s main rival, Ryanair, which maintains its largest global base there. By withdrawing from Stansted, easyJet was able to reduce its overhead costs and avoid a direct, costly "turf war" with Ryanair during a period of financial instability. While easyJet continues to serve Stansted on a limited basis from other hubs, it has not yet reopened a permanent crew or aircraft base there, choosing instead to expand at airports like Birmingham and Southend where the competitive landscape is more favorable.