News from September 2008

easyJet celebrates 10 of the best....

Published: 18 September 2008

easyJet celebrates its 10th birthday. ten years of flying from Belfast International Airport during which it has become Northern Ireland's favourite airline.

The first easyJet flight from Belfast International was to London Luton in September 1998. New routes have been regularly added since then and the airline now flies to 21 domestic and European destinations from Belfast.

easyJet chief executive Andy Harrison will be at the airport today to join passengers and airline staff in the birthday celebrations.

He says: "easyJet was the first airline to bring low-cost travel to Northern Ireland and our aim has always been to bring significant choice, flexibility and affordable travel to people across the region.

"We have undoubtedly been successful in achieving this and I would like to say a big thank-you to the travelling public who have made us Northern Ireland's favourite airline.

"Our commitment will continue to Northern Ireland people, from business travellers to people going on short city breaks or longer holidays."

Nearly 24 million people have flown with easyJet from Belfast in the last ten years - around 45% inbound travel. Up to 11,000 passengers travel each day.

Andy Harrison says:

"Since easyJet began operations from Belfast, the travelling public in Northern Ireland no longer have to endure lengthy connections through London airports and can now fly directly to the main airports of Europe's major cities with easyJet's famously low fares.

"easyJet has also made a substantial contribution to tourism and the Northern Ireland economy. We have brought millions of visitors to the region and have provided employment both directly and indirectly for more than 20,000 people."

easyJet is increasingly the preferred choice for business people. At a time of financial pressures, value for money is essential for companies, and with easyJet they can save an average of up to £100 on a return flight.

easyJet flies to three London airports, with high frequency and convenient schedules to Gatwick, Luton and Stansted.

There are also routes to other UK business centres such as Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and Liverpool, and to key European cities such as Amsterdam and Paris.

John Doran, managing director of Belfast International Airport, says:

"Belfast International Airport is delighted to celebrate this significant milestone today with easyJet.

"We are gratified to have played our role in investing with such an innovative customer in order to fundamentally change the face of air travel to and from Northern Ireland over the past decade."

Paul Girvan, public affairs manager of the Federation of Small Businesses, says:
"We would like to congratulate easyJet on its 10th birthday in Northern Ireland.

"The increased availability of cheap air travel has enabled Northern Ireland's small businesses to connect more effectively with overseas markets and build stronger relationships on a national and international scale."

Andy Harrison adds:

"Being low-cost doesn't mean easyJet sacrifices service. We have the highest standards of care and convenience, as well as providing reliability, flexibility and a wide range of services that make life easier for both leisure and business travellers.

"Belfast is a really important base for easyJet. I'm looking forward to being in the city today to help mark this significant milestone and I'm confident that easyJet will enjoy continued success in Northern Ireland."