Budget airline easyJet offering cabin crew 1,000 bonus

EasyJet is offering cabin crew a 1,000 bonus as it fights to recruit and retain prized staff.

The bonus will be available for all new and existing crew, who will receive the payout in October as a reward for their efforts during this summer's travel boom.

It matches British Airways' 1,000 golden handshake for trained staff who join from rival carriers. Unlike BA's proposal, easyJet's award will also be paid to its current crew.

The budget airline has hatched a major recruitment drive for onboard staff. It is understood that it has recently increased its hiring target from 1,500 to 1,700.

Airlines laid off staff when Covid hit. But they are now battling to recruit and retain crew after thesudden spike in demand for flights by Britons desperate to get away.

Both easyJet and BA have recently cancelled thousands of flights between them as a result of staff shortages.

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An easyJet spokesman said the firm 'will be paying its cabin crew a recognition payment at the end of the summer season to recognise their contribution to the operation this summer, which is expected to be back at near 2019 levels for the first time since the pandemic'.