It comes after more than more than 2,000 easyJet pilot members of Balpa passed a no confidence vote in the carrier’s chief operations officer Peter Bellew.

"This result clearly shows there is a serious and widening rift between easyJet pilots and the airline’s senior management," said the union.

Balpa said the ballot was called to address easyJet’s "poor handling" of the coronavirus crisis, and a downturn in morale following Bellew’s appointment from Ryanair in January.

The union represents around 90% of easyJet’s 2,300 pilots employed in the UK. "Ashow of unity on this scale and expression of disapproval in the direction and management of the business is unprecedented in easyJet," Balpa added.

EasyJet plans to reduce its workforce by 30%, which could affect more than 700 UK pilot roles. It is also proposing to shut three of its UK bases – Newcastle, Southend and Stansted.

This is despite efforts to boost the carrier’s financial headroom to more than £3 billion, including tapping the government’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility for £600 million.

Balpa added it was vital easyJet now takes "immediate steps to restore trust in the senior management team", and restressed it felt easyJet’s plans to cut more than 700 pilot jobs was a "completely unrealistic figure".

EasyJet said in a statement: “We call on Balpa to focus on working constructively with us rather than on personal attacks which are not in best interests of our employees.

“Peter has a wealth of industry experience having been chief operating officer for Ryanair and chief executive for Malaysian [Airlines] and sits on the Easa [European Aviation Safety Agency] Strategy Advisory Board. Safety remains easyJet’s highest priority.”