easyJet, one of the Europe's largest low fares carrier, has noted a sharp upturn in the satisfaction levels of staff after taking in a scheme for the recruitment of European employees from their home nations, reports Personnel Today.

The project, Turning Europe Orange, which was introduced by the carrier in early last year, has witnessed the carrier recruit employees from all around the Europe with terms and conditions exclusive to the nations they are living in, rather than depending on the UK-based work force to work on pan-European services.

The London Luton airport-based low-cost carrier's People Director, Mr. Mike Campbell, revealed to the magazine that the scheme-which he said was one of its kind to the airline market-improved satisfaction levels for the airline's 9000 Europe-wide employees from 69 per cent in the year 2005, to 82 per cent in the year 2007.

Mr. Campbell said, "Over the past 18 months, easyJet has shifted from being a UK airline to a European airline. By recruiting staff on their own country's terms and conditions, we can attract employees on a par with flagship airlines across Europe. There is a definite link between this project and improving staff satisfaction, as we are seen as an employer of choice. Staff are able to talk to passengers in their own language".

About the effect of the credit crunch on the carrier, he said, "Traditionally, easyJet was driven by a domestically-focused marketplace. But Europe is now a very opportune market for us. Low-cost travel is opening up, and we are now able to attract local people to work for us".