easyJet Announces Its New UK Base

British low-cost carrier easyJet is set to expand its UK operations further with the launch of its tenth base. Come March next year, a three-aircraft (186-seat Airbus A320neo) base will be operational at London Southend. The airline says the new base will create approximately 130 direct jobs for pilots and crew in the country and bolster several more indirect employment. The UK is easyJet’s largest market, with over 56 per cent of its passengers flying in or out from UK airports. Once the new base at London Southend goes live, the airline will boost its annual seating capacity to 57 million, amounting to a 10 per cent increase over last year. The airline has launched 70 new routes from its home country, with many being served from its base at Birmingham International Airport. That base was launched in March this year. From the London Southend, easyJet already flies to many international destinations, such as Amsterdam, Geneva, Faro, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, and Paris CDG. Adding extra aircraft will enable the carrier to launch six new routes to Pisa, Gran Canaria, Dalaman, Antalya, Marrakech and Enfidha. Flights will go on sale later this year. However, the easyJet holiday packages go on sale tomorrow with departures from May 1, 2025.