easyJet has opened a new base at Birmingham Airport, signalling a new phase of growth for the low-fare carrier. The three aircraft base brings with it 16 new routes for summer 2024 and creates 140 direct jobs for pilots and crew.
Birmingham is now the airline’s ninth UK base and the first new base in more than a decade. More than half (56%) of easyJet’s operations include UK-touching flying, and it is operating its biggest UK programme this year, with four additional A320neo family aircraft joining its fleet.
The new Birmingham base welcomes around 89% of leisure traffic and has direct connections between Birmingham and European airports, including Amsterdam, Geneva, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Berlin Brandenburg. Passenger numbers at Birmingham are expected to be up by 60% this year versus 2023.
The airline also plans to launch more routes for winter from Birmingham in the coming months.
Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, said: “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.”
Nick Barton, CEO of Birmingham Airport (BHX), said: “Today sees our growing partnership with easyJet reach new heights as the airline bases three aircraft here at Birmingham Airport.”
easyJet now serves 21 UK airports offering 536 routes from the UK to 137 destinations in 29 countries across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
