EasyJet will apply for operating licence from another EU state 'within weeks'

EasyJet's application for an operating licence from another EU member state following the Brexit vote will be made "in the next few weeks", said airline chief executive Carolyn McCall.

The move will allow the Luton-based carrier to secure flying rights for the 30% of its routes that do not touch the UK.

The single market for aviation, created in the 1990s, means there are no commercial restrictions for airlines flying within the EU.

UK ministers have previously said that maintaining "liberal access" to European aviation markets will be a "top priority" during Brexit negotiations.

Ms McCall told a summit of lobby group Airlines for Europe in Brussels that "we don't know" what the impact will be for UK airlines.

She said: "We're preparing a licence application and that will go in in the next few weeks, and then we will have a new AOC (Air Operator Certificate) as we've made very clear.

"We don't know what's going to happen.

"We are spending quite a lot of time working with the (European) Commission and with the UK Government to say that we believe a liberal and deregulated aviation market is in the interests of every single airline passenger across Europe."

EasyJet is forking out £10 million for the AOC.

Last month, the low cost airline revealed another £35 million hit as it takes a hammering from the weak pound and fuel expenses falling by less than expected.

It now expects those factors to cost it around £105 million over its 2016/17 financial year, up from the £90 million estimated in November.