EasyJet is to end ground operations at Stansted Airport and slash almost 2,000 UK jobs as the budget carrier battles against a collapse in air travel.

The FTSE 250 company is pushing the cuts through as part of plans to lay off nearly one in three of its 15,000 workers, following in the footsteps of rivals such as British Airways which is sacking up to 12,000 people.

The business posted a £353m loss for the six months to March and warned it would seek efficiency measures after coronvirus brought what had been a golden age of air travel to a crashing halt.

Bosses said on Tuesday that almost two fifths of roles expected to go – some 1,900 jobs – will be cut in the UK. This includes 727 pilots and accounts for almost one in three of easyJet’s flight crew, along with 1,2000 cabin staff.

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