easyJet is consulting on proposals that could cut up to about 50 roles at its Luton headquarters, the airline has confirmed. The roles are part of a head office team of around 2,300 people, and the consultation was first reported by The Times on 9 November 2026.

An easyJet spokesperson said the proposals affect "a very small proportion of head office roles" and are intended to make sure the business is best set up to support its plans. No final decision has been announced, and the roles are at risk rather than confirmed as lost while the consultation runs.

Vote on Apollo takeover due today

The consultation comes two days before easyJet shareholders vote on Apollo Global Management's £5.7 billion takeover of the airline. Shareholders are due to vote at court-convened and general meetings on Wednesday 11 November 2026. If approved, the deal is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2027.

Apollo is offering 715p a share in cash for the Luton-based carrier, in a deal agreed in July and backed by easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou. A source close to easyJet said the proposed head office cuts are unrelated to the takeover.

Apollo has said it does not intend to make headcount reductions that are material in the context of the easyJet group during the 12 months after completion. The scheme document makes clear that those statements of intention are not binding post-offer undertakings under the UK Takeover Code, so they do not amount to a blanket first-year jobs guarantee.

Unions raised concerns over the deal

The takeover has drawn scrutiny from pilots' unions, who have raised concerns about job security and about plans to add around £3 billion of debt to the airline. The European Works Council said it could not give a favourable opinion on the acquisition.

easyJet is one of Britain's largest airlines, and its Luton headquarters houses the central teams that run its network, commercial operations and support functions. The airline has not said which head office departments the proposals cover, or when a final decision will be taken.

A cooling UK jobs market

The consultation comes as recruiters report a cooling UK jobs market. The latest KPMG and Recruitment and Employment Confederation Report on Jobs, published on 9 November, found that permanent staff placements fell in October for the first time in four months, while temporary billings fell for the first time since March. Employers blamed economic uncertainty and rising costs, with hiring decisions delayed or scaled back in the run-up to the Budget.

easyJet staff affected by the consultation will be represented through the process, and the outcome will depend on its result. The shareholder vote on Wednesday is the next milestone: if investors approve the Apollo deal, the takeover moves to court sanction and then completion early next year.