easyJet will implement its largest expansion at Manchester Airport in the UK this winter, which will see the airline add five new aircraft, carry an extra 1.5 million passengers annually and launch five new routes.
The expansion will include connections to the new destinations of Innsbruck, Lanzarote, Faro, Barcelona and the airline’s 1,000th route – from Manchester to Bordeaux.
With the expansion at the airport, easyJet will create 175 direct jobs and it is estimated that the move will lead to 1,500 jobs indirectly.
“This announcement to expand our operations in Manchester is fantastic news for the North West and will create thousands of new jobs supporting the local economy and both inbound tourism as well as even more choice for consumers in the North West,” said Ali Gayward, UK country manager, easyJet.
“Our growth of an additional five aircraft next summer will be the biggest single investment easyJet will make in the entire network in 2019, and reflects our commitment to Manchester, providing customers even better connectivity with new ‘neo’ aircraft to new destinations and more choice than ever before,” she continued.
Last year almost 3.5 million passengers flew with easyJet to and from Manchester Airport, a figure expected to rise to 5 million next year. easyJet said the increase in capacity at the airport from 12 to 17 aircraft and the expected rise to 5 million passengers annually following the expansion represents a 40% increase.
Andrew Cowan, CEO of Manchester Airport, said it was “delighted” by easyJet’s commitment, adding: “Their growth will also create hundreds of jobs, which along with the £1 billion investment we are making in the transformation of the airport, demonstrates the various ways in which the region benefits from having a thriving international gateway.”
The additional aircraft will include easyJet’s new A320neos, which were introduced last year.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham welcomed the expansion and said it was evidence that Greater Manchester “is a globally-facing city-region that’s open for business.”
He continued: “It is vital that Greater Manchester remains a well-connected travel hub and the creation of five new routes from Manchester Airport will provide us with new business opportunities as well as exciting new travel destinations.”
Image L-R: Ali Gayward, UK country manager easyJet; Andy Burnham Mayor of Greater Manchester and Andrew Cowan, CEO of Manchester Airport.
Written by: Kimberley Young
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