EasyJet has officially opened its 10th UK base at London Southend Airport, creating 140 direct jobs for pilots and crew in the UK.
The airline is operating its biggest ever summer programme this year, with seven additional Airbus A320 family aircraft joining its UK-based fleet.
It adds up to more than 33 million seats operating to and from the UK this summer, half a million more than last year.
There are 44 new routes including three new destinations from the UK this summer.
The opening of its London Southend base alone is driving 8% of capacity growth this summer.
The base opening has been enabled by the growth of easyJet’s UK fleet to more modern and fuel-efficient aircraft.
Three A320neo aircraft are now based at London Southend airport.
They are operating inaugural flights to Tenerife, Marrakech, Antalya, Reus, Almeria, Pisa, Dalaman, Enfidha, Gran Canaria and Malta.
Nearly 10,000 passengers will take off on flights and holidays during the first week of operations, which is also the start of the aviation summer season.
It has a catchment area of around eight million people living within an hour of the airport.
Jude Winstanley, CEO London Southend Airport said: “EasyJet’s 10th base at London Southend Airport marks a significant milestone for both the airport and the local community. The creation of wider employment reflects the positive momentum we are seeing as we head into our biggest summer for six years.”
EasyJet already served routes from London Southend to seven beach and city destinations including Alicante, Malaga, Palma, Faro, Amsterdam, Geneva and Paris.
With three based aircraft, easyJet has been able to expand its network by launching 13 new routes over the past 12 months.
The airline has already begun expanding its winter offering, with new services to Barcelona, Lanzarote and Salzburg and, in response to popular demand, has extended nine summer routes to also operate over the winter season.
