Low-cost airline easyJet is to base a 13th aircraft at Bristol Airport next year as it continues to expand its route network.
The airline, the UK’s largest short-haul operator, has launched nine new destinations from Bristol this year and is to add a further three next year, taking its total to 58.
Bristol is easyJet’s largest UK centre after Luton and the airline has over recent years been a key player in the airport’s strong growth. It accounts for nearly 4m passengers out of the airport’s total of 6.3m.
Two years ago easyJet signed a five-year agreement with the airport which included adding a 12th aircraft to its Bristol fleet.
The airline said adding a 13th aircraft to its Bristol operations from next year would help it cater for extra demand from its passengers across the region and enable it to fly to more destinations from the airport.
Earlier this month easyJet launched services to Basel and Vienna. Flights to Bilbao, Catania, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Lanzarote, Porto and Zante started earlier this year and next year it will add Dubrovnik, Nantes and Venice to its list of destinations from Bristol.
The Basel and Vienna flights are Bristol Airport’s first scheduled services to the two destinations and are expected to carry around 78,000 passengers a year. The Basel flights operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays while the Vienna services are on Mondays and Fridays.
EasyJet UK commercial manager Ali Gayward said: “2015 has been an impressive year for easyJet in Bristol and our customers in the South West now have an incredible 58 destinations to choose from.
“As such we are putting a 13th aircraft into our Bristol operations to accommodate for the extra routes we have put on sale and the extra demand. We’re looking forward to welcoming more of our customers onboard in the future.”
Bristol Airport aviation director Shaun Browne added: “We are delighted with the continued expansion of easyJet and the additional Airbus aircraft based at Bristol Airport.
“Not only does this expansion bring additional routes to the region but the growth supports job creation for both the airport and the thriving aerospace industry in the city.”
EasyJet’s decision to base a 13th aircraft at Bristol came as it announced record profits for the fifth year running. Pre-tax profits for the year to the end of September climbed by 18.1% to £686m on revenues up 3.5% to £4.69bn.
Pictured: Passengers on the inaugural easyJet flights to Basel and Vienna were welcomed at the gate by Bristol Airport aviation director Shaun Browne and easyJet cabin crew with a cake to mark the event
