British airline Easyjet announces CEO departure – ET Infra

LONDON: Easyjet said Thursday that chief executive Johan Lundgren would step down at the start of 2025 after seven years piloting the no-frills airline, notably through Covid turbulence.

Easyjet, which flies mainly across Europe, added in a statement that it would promote chief financial officer Kenton Jarvis to the top post.

Swedish national Lundgren, 57, “has done an excellent job as our CEO since December 2017, steering the company through the immense challenges of the Covid period, and setting up a clear strategy and strong execution plan”, said Easyjet chairman Stephen Hester.

The announcement came alongside news that Easyjet had reduced net losses in its first half, or six months to the end of March.

Airlines tend to log losses early on because of the northern hemisphere winter, typically a quieter travel period compared with the peak-demand summer season.

Lundgren said the carrier was “focused on another record summer which is expected to deliver strong full-year earnings growth”.

The outgoing CEO added that he would “work closely” with Jarvis, a 57-year-old British national, “to achieve this year’s goals and hand over responsibilities smoothly”.

Jarvis expressed delight at his appointment and opportunity “to fulfil Easyjet’s bright potential”.

The aviation sector is enjoying a strong recovery following the world’s emergence from Covid lockdowns that had grounded planes, causing huge financial losses and mass reductions in jobs at airlines.

bcp/lth

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