Easyjet, a budget airline based at Luton in the UK, is implementing a major expansion plan for its hub at Edinburgh Airport, in Scotland.
The airline’s expansion project includes the addition of two more aircraft to the airport hub, increasing the number of planes based there to seven.
Hugh Aitken, the airline head for Scotland, said, ‘The decision to base a further two aircraft in Edinburgh is testament to the importance of Scotland to easyJet’s operation. The new management team at Edinburgh Airport fully understands the importance of growth and connectivity for the airport and Scotland as a whole.
The arrival of the two new aircraft from December will deliver over 180,000 new seats. We are asking key partners to work with us to determine which new destinations to launch and look forward to working with Edinburgh Airport and others over the coming month to finalise our plans.’
The initial Airbus A319 is arriving on December 2, 2012, while the second plane will be operating from March 2013. With the two new aircraft, the airline will be able to offer more routes and around 180,000 new seats for travellers annually. The new aircraft will also add around 100 new jobs to the local economy.
Gordon Dewar, the chief executive officer, Edinburgh Airport, said, ‘Today’s announcement from easyJet is hugely significant for Edinburgh Airport. It demonstrates that we are willing to do business with airlines that are ambitious for growth and delivering great service for their passengers. Our partnership with easyJet is based on these central values and we’re looking forward to working with them in bringing planes and new routes to Scotland.’
