Air Holdings Plc has proposed buyouts to some pilots at its main UK base to help reduce costs as the airline pares back flying through the slower winter season.

Voluntary seasonal redundancy packages were offered to all first officers based at London Luton Airport, where the Hungarian carrier has cut capacity through winter, according to an email seen by Bloomberg News that Wizz sent to staff this week.

“These decisions have not been taken lightly but are necessary to ensure the business remains financially sustainable, protects long-term competitiveness, and aligns our operation with the current demand and cost environment,” the company said in the memo.

A Wizz spokesman said he couldn’t comment on internal matters. A spokesperson for the British Airline Pilots’ Association confirmed that Wizz had offered expressions of interest for first officers at Luton to leave the airline on voluntary enhanced terms by the start of next month.

Airlines are taking measures to protect themselves from a surge in fuel prices caused by the Middle East conflict, which has added billions of dollars in expenses. Many carriers have hiked fares and tweaked their flying schedules over the quieter winter period.

In the email, Wizz said it has faced a “particularly challenging operating environment this year, driven by geopolitical instability, operational uncertainty and an unprecedented rise in fuel prices.”Wizz asked interested employees to apply by end of day Friday before the company confirms by Tuesday who will receive packages. Those affected would leave the airline on Nov 1.

The enhanced package includes payment equivalent to statutory redundancy pay, additional compensatory payment of two weeks’ salary and payment in lieu of notice.

Luton Airport is Wizz’s main UK base and also where its headquarters are located. Earlier this year, the airline pulled two of its new extra-long range Airbus SE jets out of its other base at London Gatwick Airport and parked them in Poland.