BIRMINGHAM- easyJet (U2) has officially launched its newest UK base today at Birmingham Airport (BHX), marking the airline’s ninth UK base and its first new base in over a decade.
This initiative has created 140 direct employment opportunities for pilots and crew in the UK while contributing to approximately 1200 jobs.
easyJet Birmingham Base
The establishment of this base heralds a new phase of expansion for the airline in the UK, particularly as it emerges as the fastest-growing airline in the country this summer. This expansion extends to easyJet Holidays, which stands as the fastest-growing holiday company in the UK.
UK-centric flights now constitute 56% of easyJet’s overall operations, with the airline executing its most extensive UK program to date this year, incorporating the addition of four extra aircraft to its UK-based fleet.
This expansion translates to over 57 million seats available for sale to and from the UK, reflecting a 10% increase compared to the previous year. Furthermore, easyJet’s growth trajectory is poised to continue with further aircraft joining the fleet in the upcoming year.
Given Birmingham’s economic significance, which surpasses that of Hungary and ranks as the largest economy in the UK outside of London and the South East, the city presents lucrative growth prospects for easyJet.
Birmingham serves as a pivotal component of easyJet’s strategic vision, offering ample opportunities for expansion in the Midlands. Moreover, besides enhancing vital domestic connectivity outside of London, each UK-based aircraft directly supports 400 jobs and £27 million in UK gross value added (GVA), considering both direct and indirect impacts.
Targeting Leisure Travelers
A significant portion of the population in England and Wales, approximately 83%, resides within a two-hour driving distance of Birmingham Airport. Moreover, most (89%) of Birmingham Airport’s traffic caters to leisure travelers. The establishment of the new base by easyJet is poised to tap into this robust demand for leisure travel and the package holiday market.
As the largest leisure airline in the UK, easyJet has already witnessed a considerable surge in its share of the leisure market at Birmingham Airport this summer, more than tripling compared to the previous year.
In addition to catering to leisure travelers, the new base at Birmingham Airport will facilitate direct connections to key European city airports such as Amsterdam, Geneva, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Berlin Brandenburg. This expansion will benefit leisure travelers and serve millions of business travelers who use easyJet transport to and from the UK annually.
easyJet anticipates a substantial increase in passenger numbers at Birmingham Airport, projecting a nearly 60% rise compared to the previous year. Furthermore, this summer season is expected to be the largest ever for easyJet Holidays.
Birmingham Airport flights are slated to accommodate one of the highest proportions of easyJet Holidays customers in the network, with destinations like Majorca, Dalaman, Antalya, Sharm el Sheikh, and Tunisia emerging as popular choices for this summer.
Executive Insights
Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, expressed:
“We are thrilled to inaugurate our latest UK base at Birmingham today, offering increased options, competition, and connectivity while bolstering over 1200 jobs for the region.”
“This base allows us to tap into the significant demand for leisure and business travel and further expand our presence in the package holiday market.”
“We perceive considerable untapped potential at the airport, presenting opportunities for future growth in the years ahead.”
Nick Barton, CEO of Birmingham Airport (BHX), remarked:
“Today marks a significant milestone in our burgeoning partnership with easyJet as the airline establishes three aircraft bases here at Birmingham Airport. Travelers now have access to the airline’s 16 new routes, with the flexibility to choose between flight-only options or comprehensive package holidays.
“easyJet has been a valued partner airline for 17 years. Its expansion at Birmingham Airport underscores the service quality, affordability, reliability, and destination choices its patrons have grown accustomed to.”
“We eagerly anticipate collaborating with easyJet to further expand its destination portfolio for the benefit of our travelers.”
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, commented:
“The establishment of easyJet’s new base at BHX will be warmly received by thousands of holidaymakers from the West Midlands and beyond.
“The expansion in destinations is not only exciting news for those seeking sunshine this summer but also for our business community, facilitating the creation of new international trade links.”
“easyJet’s decision represents a vote of confidence in Birmingham Airport and the individuals employed in our aviation sector. The new base will create job opportunities and contribute to the airport’s growth and prosperity in the years ahead.”
Serves 21 UK Airports
easyJet already serves key domestic and international routes from Birmingham, connecting travelers to popular destinations such as Amsterdam, Geneva, Milan, Naples, Lisbon, Faro, and Palma de Mallorca. Adding more aircraft at the airport enables the airline to broaden its network from Birmingham with new routes, appealing to holidaymakers and business travelers alike.
With 30 underserved or unserved routes to Europe from Birmingham, easyJet offers direct flights on more than one-third of these routes. With existing operations serving only two of those destinations, the airline has a clear and significant opportunity to expand its presence. easyJet plans to introduce more routes from Birmingham and other UK locations in the upcoming winter months.
As the largest leisure airline in the UK, easyJet currently employs over ten thousand people across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Birmingham marks the airline’s ninth base in the UK, joining London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Belfast.
Founded nearly 30 years ago in the UK, easyJet launched operations from London Luton airport. Since then, the airline has served over 800 million customers to and from the UK and currently operates at 21 UK airports, offering 536 routes to 137 destinations across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
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