EasyJet is to open a new three-aircraft base at Birmingham airport early with extra flights and holiday packages available from March 18.
The budget carrier confirmed that 16 new routes would be introduced to give a network of 29 destinations across the UK, Europe and North Africa.
The Birmingham expansion plan was originally unveiled in June with an unspecified spring 2024 start date.
Birmingham airport aviation director Tom Screen said yesterday (Tuesday): “Antalya, Barcelona, Berlin, Fuerteventura, Enfidha, Sharm el Sheikh, Rhodes, Dalaman, Jersey, Larnaca, Malaga, Alicante, Tenerife, Corfu, Kos and Heraklion – 16 new destinations EasyJet will begin serving in the weeks from March 2024 when they open their three-aircraft base.
“This will bring jobs to the region and greater choice for customers, particularly as easyJet holidays cements its place in the Midlands market with great package deals.”
Flights to Antalya and Barcelona will take off from March 18 and will operate year-round twice a week and three times a week respectively.
New routes to Alicante and Tenerife will start on March 19 and operate twice a week year-round, followed by Larnaca on March 20 twice a week throughout summer as well as Malaga and Enfidha both starting on March 21 operating twice a week year-round.
A Birmingham-Berlin route will launch on April 1 and operate twice a week year-round, followed a weekly year-round link to Sharm el Sheikh from April 2.
A new domestic connection to Jersey will also start on April 2 and operate twice a week year-round.
A new weekly summer route to Heraklion will begin on April 3.
Dalaman will be served operate twice a week throughout summer from April 4 and a Fuerteventura flight will run once a week year-round.
Rhodes will be connected from April 23 with a weekly summer flight followed by seasonal twice-weekly service to Corfu on May 1. Kos will be served weekly during the summer from May 3.
The new flights and package holidays will be available to book from tomorrow (Thursday).
Easyjet UK country manager Ali Gayward said: “We are delighted to be opening our Birmingham base early, demonstrating our continued confidence in the region with customers choosing us for our trusted brand, unrivalled network and great value fares.
“Investing in a ninth base in the UK strengthens EasyJet’s network by positioning it as the carrier of choice to serve UK consumers and capture demand for travel, further growing our share of the UK leisure market for both the airline and easyJet holidays.
“With flights for 16 new routes on sale from this Thursday, we’re offering our customers in the Midlands even more choice when planning their holidays and we can’t wait to welcome them onboard.”