Stelios ‘aims to meet airline boss in advance’

EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou will expect to meet the next chief executive of the budget airline before any appointment is made, according to people close to the entrepreneur.

Sir Stelios, who with his family is the largest investor in the airline with 34% of the shares, sat down with Dame Carolyn McCall before she was appointed in 2010 and would expect to meet the next chief executive as well, his camp said today.

He has been battling with easyJet over its strategy of buying new aircraft and expanding its fleet.

He argues overcapacity in the European airline market means easyJet is being forced to slash fares because it is taking delivery of too many new aeroplanes.

Low oil prices mean more airlines have been running flights that are nowhere near full, adding to the downward pressure on prices.

EasyJet faces several headwinds including Brexit, which last week forced it to reveal a new European headquarters in Vienna. Its profits are expected to fall again this year.