EasyJet plans low-cost French network

EasyJet is to establish two new bases in France as a springboard for launching a raft of new routes from the country.

The no-frills carrier is to operate from Paris Charles de Gaulle and Lyon offering a total of 13 routes from next spring.

The airline is to initially base five additional aircraft in France – three in Paris and two in Lyon – creating hundreds of jobs for pilots, cabin crew and associated support services.

EasyJet already operates 11 routes from Charles de Gaulle to the UK, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal as well as Nice. From Lyon, five routes to London, Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona and Rome will be served this winter. 

The carrier expects to carry more than six million passengers through French airports in 2007 and a further two million next year with the opening of the new bases.

The plan is part of clear long-term strategy for France, which includes a €600 million investment over four years.

The airline plans to have 20 aircraft based in French airports and to carry 12 million passengers by 2011. It will operate more than 80 routes in and out of France and employ almost 1,000 staff.

Three new Airbus A319s will be based in Paris from February 2008 to complement easyJet’s existing six aircraft at Paris Orly.

The opening of the Charles de Gaulle base will enable easyJet to initially launch six additional domestic and international routes (Biarritz, Oporto, Venice, Marrakech, Hamburg and Krakow) at France’s main airport.

The second new base will be at Lyon’s Saint-Exupéry Airport with two Airbus A319s from April 2008 to operate seven domestic and international routes (Bordeaux, Toulouse, Casablanca, Marrakech, Venice, Porto and Lisbon).

EasyJet claims it will become the first low-fares airline to offer French domestic routes out of regional airports with the move into France’s second city. 

The airline already offers 50 routes in France and as many as 40 daily flights to and from Paris.

The airline’s chief executive Andy Harrison said: “Today’s announcement is just the first step in our major investment that will see us double our presence in France by 2011 as we seek to bring the benefits of easyJet to France’s air travellers and its wider society.

“We will be employing French people and flying French passengers from France’s major airports on aircraft from Toulouse-based Airbus.”

by Phil Davies 

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