easyJet will launch a new daily service from Bristol to Paris, Charles de Gaulle, on 30 October 2006. It will also launches a service between London Luton and Istanbul’s Sabhia Gokcen International Airport.

The service will operate three times weekly throughout August (on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays), increasing to daily from 4 September 2006.

Bristol-Paris

The airline which has carried over 16m passengers since it started operating from its Bristol base in May 2001, is the largest carrier in the region. Bristol is the airline’s largest UK base outside of London accounting for 11% of easyJet’s total operation.

In the last year easyJet carried 3.5m passengers from Bristol and expects to carry close to 50,000 passengers on this new route in the next 12 months.

p>Katie Hetherington, easyJet Marketing Manager for Bristol, said:

 

“easyJet is delighted to be offering another fantastic new route from Bristol to Paris. Not only will this new service be ideal for cultural city-breaks away but is also great news for business travellers who will be able to take advantage of easyJet’s famously low fares and flexible travel benefits.

easyJet is committed to Bristol International airport and has recently converted its south-west base to wholly Airbus 319 operations, these brand new air craft provide even greater comfort, reliability and efficiency. The addition of another aircraft, which takes the Bristol based fleet to nine, has also resulted in greater frequencies and more jobs to the region.” 

Tony Hallwood, Aviation Development Director at Bristol International Airport, said:

 

“The new daily scheduled service to Paris Charles de Gaulle is fantastic news for local business and leisure travellers alike, offering improved flight frequency to the French capital from Bristol International. 

The introduction of easyJet’s 31st service from Bristol will provide an even more convenient and affordable gateway to this leading global cultural and business centre.”

Turkey service

Istanbul is part of the airline’s expansion outside of the EU, following the recent launch of routes to Rijeka and Split in Croatia and Marrakech in Morocco. Historically easyJet has focused on growth within the EU thanks to the open skies agreement that allows any airline to operate to any airport within the Union, as this is where the majority of demand for low-fares services has been. However as these countries forge ever-closer relationships with the UK and Europe, easyJet recognises that whilst expanding outside of the EU is more complex, there is a great potential for growth in these markets and consumers are getting more adventurous with their travel plans.

 

Istanbul is the only city in the world that embraces two continents - Europe and Asia, and easyJet is the first low-cost airline to open up the unique Turkish market.  These services will help to develop both tourism and business links with the country, who have recently started negotiations to join the EU in a few years.

 

The airline marked the occasion with celebrations at Luton Airport, where customers were given traditional Turkish belly dancing lessons, whilst nibbling on Turkish delight treats.

 

Paul Cable, easyJet’s Market Manager for London commented:

 

“This is probably our most significant expansion from London Luton in the last few years, easyJet is taking its familiar brand and famously low fares to customers in Turkey and providing those in the south east of England with the opportunity to explore this vibrant East meets West city.”

 

“easyJet will continue to lead the industry and identify new opportunities, both geographically and technically, bringing our unique combination of low-costs with care and convenience to travellers.”

 

easyJet has also been nominated this year for a World Travel Award as Europe’s Leading Budget / No Frills Airline.
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