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18-Jun-2010 11:50 AM

easyjet founder threatens to offer brand to another carrier if dispute not resolved

easyJet founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, stated that if his dispute with the carrier is not resolved he may withdraw easyJet's brand licence and licence it to another carrier (SkyNews/This is Money, 17-Jun-2010). Sir Stelios has also suggested he could lease the name to a large online travel retailer, such as Expedia or Travelocity. CEO, Andy Harrison, admitted the LCC has developed plans for a new name for the carrier but "only as a contingency plan". Sir Stelios stated he is concerned easyJet's expansion beyond its core activities could damage the interests of other businesses in the easyGroup. The hearing is expected to last all week, with a decision due in Jul-2010.

easyGroup: "I would expect there to be considerable interest in the event that the brand became available to re-licence. The brand is strong enough to attract a substantial proportion of the customer base, particularly given that the easyJet.com and easyJet.co.uk domain names would at that stage be available to the new venture," Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Founder. Source: This is Money, 17-Jun-2010.

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