Figures published by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) this week, show that easyJet is the UK’s largest airline, measured by the number of passengers flown for the second year in a row. In 2009 over 28 million passengers flew with easyJet through UK airports, which is significantly more than any other airline.

The airline’s success is based on offering the lowest fares to the most convenient airports. In just 15 years easyJet has grown from a small two aircraft operation to become the UK’s largest airline, operating out of 16 airports across the UK from Inverness down to Bristol.

easyJet’s Chief Executive Andy Harrison said: “easyJet is now the UK’s National airline. Passengers have clearly voted with their feet, boarding easyJet’s aircraft more than any other airline”.

In addition the airline is making significant headway in Europe. easyJet is now the leading airline at many major European airports such as Milan Malpensa, and is the second largest airline in France and Switzerland. In 2010 easyJet will grow by 10% to carry over 50 million passengers across Europe, and currently offers over 500 routes across 29 countries with a fleet of nearly 200 aircraft.

*BA numbers were adjusted to reflect passenger journeys made by transfer passengers.