British airline EasyJet said yesterday that its chief executive Carolyn McCall will step down at the end of the year to become head of television channel ITV. "After seven years, the opportunity from ITV felt like the right one to take," McCall said in a company statement of her switch to the British independent channel.

"It is a fantastic company in a dynamic and stimulating sector," she added.

The announcement comes just a few days after the no-frills airline said it would create EasyJet Europe, based in Vienna, in order to keep flying unhindered across the European Union after Brexit. EasyJet said a search for McCall's successor had begun. Prior to becoming CEO of EasyJet, McCall had been chief executive of Guardian Media Group. From January, she will replace Adam Crozier at ITV, who stepped down from his role in June.

McCall's annual salary will be $1.18 million alongside a sizeable pension, other long-term incentives and bonuses. She "will also receive awards to compensate for remuneration arrangements forfeited on leaving her previous employer", ITV said. McCall is one of only seven women heading a FTSE company following her switch. Despite increasing profits massively during her time at EasyJet, McCall has faced much tougher times recently. EasyJet's losses grew significantly during the first half of its financial year owing to the Brexit-fuelled slump in the pound and a later timing of Easter.