EasyJet, in collaboration with Birmingham Airport, has expanded its UK operations by inaugurating a new base in Birmingham on March 18. This strategic move introduces 16 new routes from Birmingham, including to popular destinations such as Majorca, Paris, and Amsterdam.
The establishment of this base marks a significant step in easyJet’s growth within the UK, positioning it as the country’s fastest-growing airline for the upcoming summer season. Additionally, EasyJet Holidays is recognized as the UK’s quickest expanding holiday company.
Birmingham Airport highlights the significance of this development, stating, “The opening of the base ushers in a new era for expansion for the airline in the UK – the fastest growing airline in the UK this summer – as well as easyJet holidays which is the fastest growing holidays company in the UK.”
The airport further noted the accessible location, with 83 percent of the population in England and Wales living within a two-hour drive, and emphasized the leisure focus of the airport’s traffic, which stands at 89 percent.
Accessibility and Leisure: Birmingham Airport's Strategic Advantage
The new base not only triples easyJet’s share of the leisure market in Birmingham compared to the previous summer but also aims to cater to the robust demand for leisure travel and package holidays. EasyJet is already the largest leisure airline in the UK, and the introduction of this base is expected to significantly impact its market presence in the region.
The airline will provide direct connections to major European cities, including Amsterdam, Geneva, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Berlin Brandenburg, catering to both leisure and business travelers. Predictions suggest a nearly 60 percent increase in easyJet’s passenger numbers at Birmingham this year compared to last, with the summer season anticipated to be the largest ever for EasyJet Holidays.
Economic Impact: Job Creation and Regional Support through EasyJet's Expansion
The new routes are expected to attract a high proportion of EasyJet Holidays customers, with destinations like Majorca, Dalaman, Antalya, Sharm el Sheikh, and Tunisia being particularly popular for the upcoming summer.
Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, commented on the launch, saying, “We are excited to open our newest base at Birmingham today, providing more choice, competition and connectivity as well as supporting over 1,200 jobs for the region.” This development underscores easyJet’s commitment to enhancing its service offerings and supporting regional employment through its expansion efforts.