EasyJet has marked carrying more than five million passengers to and from Birmingham airport in 17 years as it prepares to expand operations.
The budget carrier’s network from Birmingham is being expanded with 16 new routes from March 18.
The airport is becoming a new base with three aircraft helping establish a network of 29 routes including new connections to Antalya, Barcelona and Sharm el Sheikh.
The airline’s first base opening in the UK in more than a decade will create around 100 direct jobs for pilots and crew and 1,200 more indirect jobs.
The new base will also see easyJet holidays offer more package holidays and city breaks from Birmingham to more than 100 European destinations.
EasyJet launched operations at Birmingham airport in 2007 with a service to Geneva.
UK country manager Ali Gayward said: “We are delighted to celebrate carrying over five million passengers from Birmingham as we prepare to open our new base next month and start flying customers to even more destinations in the UK, Europe and North Africa.
“We remain focused on offering great value fares, convenient connections and more choice for our customers in the Midlands, and we can’t wait to welcome them onboard.”