easyJet launches new base with three planes at Birmingham Airport

easyJet has based three new aircraft at Birmingham Airport and is launching 16 new routes this summer

Budget airline easyJet has launched 16 new flights from Birmingham Airport and based three additional aircraft at the hub.

The operator said the move had created 140 new jobs, including pilots and cabin crew, and would support a further 1,200 roles in its supply chain.

First announced last May, this is its ninth UK base and first new one for more than a decade.

The 16 new routes will fly to Alicante, Antalya, Barcelona, Berlin, Corfu, Dalaman, Enfidha, Fuerteventura, Heraklion, Jersey, Kos, Larnaca, Malaga, Rhodes, Tenerife and Sharm el Sheikh, taking the total the carrier operates out of Birmingham Airport to 28.

easyJet said the Birmingham market provided it with “significant growth opportunities in the Midlands”, a region it called a key part of its future strategy.

Around 83 per cent of people in England and Wales live within a two-hour drive of Birmingham Airport and 89 per cent of the airport’s traffic is leisure.

easyJet said it expected passenger numbers at Birmingham Airport to be up nearly 60 per cent compared with last year.

Chief executive Johan Lundgren said: “We are excited to open our newest UK base at Birmingham today, providing more choice, competition and connectivity as well as supporting over 1,200 jobs for the region.

“This base is enabling us to unlock the opportunity of the strong demand which exists for both leisure and business travel as well as further grow our share of the package holiday market.

“We see much untapped potential at the airport providing the opportunity to grow further in future years.”

Airport chief executive Nick Barton added: “Today sees our growing partnership with easyJet reach new heights as the airline bases three aircraft at Birmingham Airport.

“Customers can now take advantage of the airline’s 16 new routes and have the flexibility of flight only or a full package holiday.

“We are looking forward to working with easyJet to further grow its destination list for our customers.”

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “easyJet’s decision to set up this new base will be warmly welcomed by thousands of holidaymakers across the West Midlands and beyond.

“The increase in destinations is not only great news for those heading off to the sun this summer but also for our business community, helping them forge new overseas trade links.

“easyJet’s decision is also a vote of confidence in Birmingham Airport and the people working in our aviation industry. The new base will support hundreds of jobs and help the airport to grow and thrive in the years ahead.”