Chicks flown the nest? Come fly with us, says easyjet

EMPTY-NESTERS are being urged to consider a second career as cabin crew, as airlines try to shrug off the notion that the career is only for young jet-setters.

The budget airline easyjet has begun a recruitment drive for over-45s “to show that a career as cabin crew is open to anyone with the right skills, regardless of age”.

It is particularly targeting people whose children have left home or who are looking for a new career later in life, after research from the airline suggested that more than three quarters of emptynesters were seeking a new challenge.

Easyjet said there had been a 27 per cent increase in the number of cabin crew over the age of 45 since 2018 and a 30 per cent increase in those over 60 in the past year.

Many of the biggest airlines cut staff early in the coronavirus pandemic but have now found it difficult to rehire in the same numbers as demand for flights rebounds from Covid lows.

British Airways said in April 2020 that it planned to cut up to 12,000 jobs out of its 42,000 staff, later revising this down to 10,000 jobs. Easyjet said early in 2020 that it was looking to cut up to 30 per cent of its workforce, equal to 4,500 roles, but by January 2021 it had only cut 1,400 UK jobs. The airline cancelled 10,000 flights in June as a result of staff shortages across the sector.

Meanwhile, Halfords has said it was looking to recruit more retirees to fill 1,000 technician roles over the next year. It is also planning to target women and disadvantaged youths. The bicycle and car parts retailer said it was hiring now ahead of an expected surge in demand, as drivers fix older vehicles during the cost-of-living crunch rather than buy new ones.