Raymond Douglas Webster, the visionary former chief executive who steered easyJet through its formative years and transformed it into a dominant force in European low-cost aviation, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026, at the age of 79. He died at Loveday Abbey Road in St John's Wood, North London, surrounded by music and love. Webster's leadership was instrumental in shaping the modern budget airline industry, making air travel accessible to millions across the continent.

Born on September 7, 1946, in Greymouth on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, Webster carried a deep pride in his origins. His early career saw him working in a radio repair shop named Robert Francis in Greymouth by the age of 15. Through the National airline N.A.C., he gained an engineering degree, becoming skilled in engine maintenance at Harewood in Christchurch before joining Air New Zealand.

He spent 27 years at Air New Zealand, rising to the position of general manager of strategic planning. This foundational experience equipped him with a profound understanding of airline operations and strategy. During his tenure, he became a passionate advocate for the low-cost concept, particularly in the context of Australasian market deregulation.

Webster's pivotal involvement with easyJet began in 1995 when he wrote to founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou to offer his services. This led to an initial meeting in January 1996, where he paid his own way to assess the three-month-old airline. Within 20 minutes, he was hired, starting a month later as managing director. He joined easyJet as it was just beginning, operating with two leased Boeing 737-200s and a small staff from a 'tin shed' at London Luton airport.

His strategic acumen quickly became apparent, and he was appointed chief executive in 2000, just as easyJet prepared for its flotation on the London Stock Exchange. Under his guidance, the airline successfully navigated its public listing, a critical step in its journey to becoming a major player. Webster was widely regarded as the 'brains behind the airline' for designing easyJet's 'yield management system,' which was fundamental to its low-cost model. He also automated easyJet's fare pricing system after convincing Stelios Haji-Ioannou to cease manual ticket pricing, marking the 'start of our automation'.

During his tenure, Webster oversaw easyJet's remarkable expansion from a relatively small, Luton-based carrier into a major European airline. He was a key architect behind the acquisition of rival Go in 2002, a move that significantly bolstered easyJet's market position and intensified competition in the low-cost sector. His leadership also saw the airline establish new bases, including Berlin Schoenefeld in 2004, and grow its fleet to 120 Airbus aircraft. By the time of his departure, easyJet had grown to serve 30 million passengers annually across 225 routes.

Webster's commitment to the low-cost model, characterized by efficient turnarounds and strategic airport agreements, allowed easyJet to maximize aircraft utilization and keep fares affordable. He is known for his dedication to eliminating unnecessary costs and 'frills,' even implementing a cost-cutting measure by banning photocopiers. This philosophy resonated with a broad customer base, fundamentally changing how many Europeans traveled. He is credited with making air travel cheaper, simpler, and more transparent for European consumers, positioning the consumer as the 'clear winner' of the low-cost revolution.

He announced his retirement in May 2005, citing personal reasons and a desire to spend more time with his family, following the recent deaths of his parents. Webster officially stepped down in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and growth that cemented easyJet's place as a leading European airline. After his retirement, he continued to contribute to the industry, helping Air New Zealand adopt some low-cost principles. In 2003, he appeared as a witness via video link to support Air New Zealand's case for an alliance with Qantas, advocating for low-cost airlines' dominance in short-to-medium haul routes. He predicted that only two, or at most three, low-cost carriers would survive long-term in Europe and expressed skepticism about the mainstream viability of long-haul, low-cost carriers, viewing them as a 'niche market'.

Beyond his professional life, Webster was a man of diverse passions, including computers and technology, music, photography, skiing, and hiking. He lived in the USA (California) in addition to the UK (mostly London) and his native New Zealand. He is survived by his wife Brigitte, his two daughters Vanessa and Susanne from his first marriage, and his grandchildren Liam, Indya, Yasmin, and Kieran. Colin Chandler, easyJet plc chairman, described Webster's contribution to the airline's success as 'hugely significant', while easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou stated that Webster's contribution to easyJet and the European airline industry as a whole was 'immense'. The Times also published an obituary for Raymond Douglas Webster.