Easyjet has announced plans to open a base at Manchester International Airport by 2010.
In October this year easyJet announced its intention to buy the British Airways franchise operator GB Airways, which has two aircraft based at Manchester.
Easyjet intends to maintain the GB Airways operation and add a further three aircraft, bringing the total to five by 2010.
”We recognise the strong demand for low-cost convenient services from the north west,” said easyJet people director Mike Campbell.
”The GB operation at Manchester provides us with a great base on which we can build, and tap into a new market.”
Easyjet is also adding two aircraft at its Liverpool base, taking its total fleet to 15 at the two principal north west airports by 2010, enabling some eight million people to reach its flights within a 60-minute drive.
GB Airways will continue to operate all routes under the British Airways brand until the 29 March. After that ” subject to regulatory approval - it will operate under the easyJet brand and all customers who have booked to travel with GB Airways next summer will be given the choice of flying with easyJet at the same time or else receive a refund.
GB Airways will be fully integrated into easyJet subject to regulatory clearance by winter 2008.
Campbell added: ”We can make it easier for everyone in the North West to have access to easyJet services from their local airport, giving consumers the opportunity to explore Europe for less.”