Lufthansa also selected an Austrian operating licence for its budget unit Eurowings. Lufthansa management drew criticism from German unions for the move which they viewed as a way of avoiding more expensive German labour contracts.
EasyJet said it had selected Austria because of its strict implementation of European safety regulations and the fact that it should be able to handle large numbers of planes thanks to its experience with other major airlines.
The move will create jobs in Vienna, easyJet said, and Austria welcomed the
airline’s decision.
“The quality of the country won in competition with 27 other European countries, not tax dumping. The better one won, not the cheaper one,” Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern said in a statement.
“The first talks with (easyJet) CEO Carolyn McCall had already taken place in October last year. This is a victory that was heavily fought for, but which is all the more beautiful for Austria.”
EasyJet said it will re-register 110 planes to fly under the new AOC and that it planned to complete this process before Britain leaves the EU.
