AIRLINE staff have been left gutted after Easyjet appeared to confirm plans to close its base at Southend Airport.

Unite members say they have been informed of the decision but the airline would only say redundancy packages had been agreed in principle, claiming the consultation process had not yet come to an end.

Southend is one of three bases which look set to close, alongside Newcastle and Stansted.

The airline will still be flying from Southend Airport despite the base closure.

One Easyjet cabin crew member from Southend who is based at Southend Airport said: “I just feel gutted, it looks like I’m being made redundant and it’s the whole base so it’ll be everyone else too.

“The letter says it’s still in consultation but contradicts itself and suggests it’s been agreed to. I’ve seen people talking on Facebook about having their flights cancelled from September.

“I have been working with Easyjet at Southend for two and half years and I thought I’d be in the job for years and years.”

Unite national officer for civil aviation Oliver Richardson said: “Unite has tried everything to persuade Easyjet to reverse its decision to close the three bases and to consider other options but the company has remained adamant that they are financially unviable.”

A spokesman for Easyjet said: “The collective consultation process is still ongoing and no decisions on the proposals to close the base have yet been made.

“We have made good progress with Unite on the collective consultation process, having reached an agreement in principle on redundancy terms and selection criteria in the event the proposals are confirmed and we move towards individual consultation with our cabin crew. We also continue to work constructively with British Airline Pilots’ Association.”

Southend Airport declined chance to comment on the closure.