EasyJet is to open a base in Hamburg next spring and at the same time it will increase its fleet in Berlin.
The new base will open with three A319 aircraft and easyJet will position an eighth aircraft in Berlin.
As a result, easyJet will offer an additional 15 routes from Hamburg, from where it already flies to six destinations. It said that with more frequencies and early morning departures it would be more attractive to business travellers flying from the German city.
Chief executive Carolyn McCall said: "I am really pleased to be able to announce the launch of a new base in Hamburg which will enable us to double the size of our operation. Hamburg and its region is one of the most dynamic economies in Europe with a significant and growing tourist industry.
"In the last 12 months more than half a million passengers have enjoyed easyJet’s low fares combined with our friendly service. These expansion plans mean that we expect to carry twice as many passengers in the first year of operations which will take us to more than a million passengers annually for the first time."
Hamburg will be easyJet’s 23rd base in its European network. Germany’s second largest city is also one of Europe’s wealthiest economies with a strong local industry in banking, aviation, renewable energy media & publishing and the second largest European harbour.
The airline said it expects to bring 275,000 additional business and leisure visitors in Hamburg in the first year.
In Berlin, easyJet expects to carry an additional 130,000 passengers on the top of the 4 million passengers it has carried over the last 12 months.
