Easyjet bids for Austrian certificate

Easyjet has applied for a new air operator’s certificate (AOC) in Austria to allow it to continue flying in the European Union after Brexit.

The carrier said the accreditation process was “well advanced” and it hopes to receive the AOC “in the near future”.

It will allow the company to continue to operate flights across Europe and domestically within Europe after the UK withdraws from the EU.

Easyjet, which currently has airlines based in the UK and Switzerland, will establish a third, Easyjet Europe, headquartered in Vienna.

A spokeswoman has said “nothing will change” from the perspective of passengers, and all the people and planes that will fly for easyjet Europe are already employed and based in the remaining 27 EU countries.

Easyjet previouslysaid it would not reveal the location of its new £10 million AOC until the application was granted, but it made the announcement after it became clear the information would emerge as it has to update its safety systems andprocessesaspartofthe approval process.

It chose Austria because of the country’s “rigorous approach to safety” and ability to take on a large number of aircraft.

The single market for aviation, created in the 1990s, means there are no commercial restrictions for airlines flying within the EU.

UK ministers say maintaining “liberal access” to European aviation markets will be a “top priority” during Brexit negotiations.

Under the new structure, the three Easyjet airlines will be owned by Easyjet plc, which will be Euowned and controlled.