Sir Colin Chandler is to step down as chairman of EasyJet at the end of June, up to six months earlier than expected, amid frustration at the continuing unrest on the airline’s board.

The low-cost carrier has been caught up in a boardroom battle for more than six months with Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the founder, largest shareholder and a main board director, who has been pushing for the airline to adopt a more cautious approach to growth and fleet expansion during the recession.