Inspired by the thirty eight percent stake controlled by the Haji-Ioannou family, easyJet shareholders narrowly voted down the firm’s remuneration report at the annual meeting that took place in Luton.

More than one hundred and seventy two million votes were cast against the report, with 25.3m abstentions and only one hundred and sixty two millions in favour, though such protest votes do not compel a company to act on pay.

Sir Stelios protested against a six-month contract which had been granted to Mr. Harrison in January last year that ended up paying him one million pound for just three months' work.

The board convinced him to stay on for a short period while it looked for his successor as the company feared the loss of its chief executive after the exit of easyJet's former chairman and finance director following rows with Sir Stelios could damage the airline.

The management turmoil coincided with a legal dispute with Sir Stelios, who threatened to take away the carrier's brand.

Sir Mike Rake, easyJet chairman while speaking at the annual meeting, acknowledged the concern expressed by some at the retention arrangements but emphasized they were just a one-off and agreed in unusual and difficult circumstances.

Sir Stelios did not utter a single word on his role in creating such circumstances but stated that the vote proved beyond doubt that he was not the only shareholder who feels that Andrew Harrison's compensation package was undeserved.

He asserted that some other shareholders, who were against the bonus, approved the report because they believed that the share price would benefit by putting all this behind them.

Mr. Harrison was asked if he would return the bonus, and he said that he had a new fixed-term contract. It was signed by the chairman and approved by the board. There was nothing else to say.