Easyjet has launched a daily service to Moscow - its 100th route from Gatwick.
It’s the first time that Moscow has been served with non-stop flights from Gatwick. The flight departs London at 07.00 with arrival into the Russian capital at 13.50.
The service will become twice-daily from April 15, with the extra flight leaving Gatwick at 14.10 and landing at Moscow Domodedovo airport at 2100.
Easyjet will also begin a four-times-weekly service from Manchester to Moscow on March 28, flying on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
An A320 aircraft with 180 seats will serve both routes to Moscow.
“Bookings for both of our routes have surpassed our expectations,” said Carolyn McCall, Easyjet’s chief executive. “Offering frequent and affordable flights allows Easyjet to play a key role to aid trade links between the two countries.”
The launch of flights to Moscow coincided with the first day of trading for Easyjet on the FTSE 100. Shares in the no-frills carrier have risen from around £4.50 in March last year, to around £10.50 today.
Fares from Gatwick to Moscow start from £47.49 one way. Easyjet beat Virgin Atlantic to secure the rights to fly from London to the Russian capital after previous operator Bmi was integrated into British Airways last year.
Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate added: “We are proud to add Moscow to the list of destinations we fly to, which follows the addition of new daily services to other key growth markets.
“Gatwick is playing a crucial role in supporting the UK’s growth by making the best use of existing capacity and delivering the direct connections that are needed to grow exports and inward investment with key markets.
“We will need more direct air links to ensure the UK competes. As Gatwick’s new routes show, a ‘hub’ airport is not the only way to deliver these.”
easyjet.com