Jet2 has responded to reports that its chief executive Steve Heapy blamed airport delays and travel 'chaos' on 'lazy Brits who live off benefits and sit on their arses." There has been widespread disruption at airports across the county, including Leeds Bradford and Mr Heapy was alleged to have made the remarks at a meeting.
The meeting, between Department for Transport ministers and airline bosses was set up to try to resolve some of the issues causing disruption nationwide. The Sun made claims that the Jet2 CEO was "rumoured" to have made the comments.
Jet2 has since responded, saying they were "categorically not" the views of Mr Heapy or the company itself. Jet2 also made note of its record of zero cancellations over the past few weeks, due to a "proactive recruitment strategy," reports The Independent.
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A Jet2.com and Jet2holidays spokesperson said: “As a UK airline and tour operator that has, unlike others, not made any cancellations thanks to our proactive recruitment strategy, we are extremely proud of our hardworking British colleagues who continue to deliver award-winning customer service for UK customers every day.
“During a meeting with government and industry on Friday, Mr Heapy expressed his frustrations with the current employment market - as Brexit has taken hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people out of the job market and that is having an impact on many industries, including ours. To clarify, the other reports being circulated are categorically not the views of Mr Heapy or our proudly UK-based company.”
Also at the meeting, there were reports that some airline bosses were understood to have asked for powers to hire staff without visas, from European countries to fill the backlog during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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