EasyJet is to add 15 new routes from Birmingham for summer 2024 after deciding to open a new base at the UK airport.
The budget carrier plans to base three aircraft at Birmingham from March 2024, which will allow it to more than double its current 13 routes from the Midlands airport next year.
New routes from Birmingham for summer 2024 will include Barcelona, Tenerife, Antalya, Berlin, Jersey, Malaga, Sharm El Sheikh, Rhodes, Alicante, Heraklion and Larnaca.
EasyJet already operates to destinations such as Amsterdam, Geneva, Milan, Naples and Lisbon from Birmingham. A service to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport is also due to start from 30 October 2023.
Ali Gayward, UK country manager at easyJet, said introducing a base at Birmingham would create around 100 jobs for pilots and crew.
“Investing in a ninth base in Birmingham further strengthens easyJet’s network by positioning it as the carrier of choice to serve UK consumers and capture the continued demand for travel,” added Gayward.
Birmingham has also benefitted from the return of Emirates’ A380 at the weekend for the first time since March 2020. The airline’s superjumbo adds capacity to Dubai by offering a total of 615 seats.
Services to the Middle East from the airport have been further enhanced by Saudia starting flights between Birmingham and Jeddah on Sunday (2 July). The route, which operates three times per week, is served by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.