easyJet to open Birmingham Airport base

An easyJet Airbus A320 taxis at Birmingham Airport.
Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Len Varley - Assistant Editor 4 Min Read
4 Min Read

In what has been described as a “huge vote of confidence in the West Midlands,” the UK’s biggest airline easyJet has announced it will open a base for three of its aircraft at Birmingham Airport (BHX) from March 2024.

The new movement by the major low-cost airline easyJet will see the basing of three 186 seat Airbus A320 aircraft at BHX early next year, significantly boosting business and leisure flight services out of the Midlands travel hub.

Air travel and regional benefits


The permanent basing of three aircraft at the airport will enable easyJet to further expand its network from BHX with new routes for leisure and business travellers.

The establishment of the carrier’s Birmingham base will not only enhance the range of flight services for regional travellers, but it also represents a key boost for the regional economy.

This major investment by easyJet will reportedly create around 100 direct jobs, including pilots and crew, and will support 1,200 indirect jobs in the West Midlands region.

easyJet comments

Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet, said: “We are delighted to be announcing our new base in Birmingham, the UK’s second largest city, which creates around 100 direct and many more indirect jobs.

“Having already served Birmingham for many years, the decision to open a base and grow at the airport now is testament to the strong demand we see, coupled with the importance of the UK market in supporting our profitable growth.

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“The UK is easyJet’s largest market with 55% of all easyJet passengers flying to and from UK airports so this move will not only reinforce our leadership position as the UK’s largest airline, but also demonstrates our confidence in the resilient strength of demand for travel, with customers choosing us for our trusted brand, unrivalled network and great value fares.”

Photo Credit: Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport comments

Nick Barton, chief executive of Birmingham Airport (BHX), said: “This landmark investment by easyJet is a huge vote of confidence in the West Midlands.

“Basing three aircraft at BHX will create many more jobs for local people and many more options for customers. Years of hard work have led to this. Together we look forward to years of future success.”

Current BHX services


easyJet already serves key domestic connections and international routes from BHX, including Amsterdam, Geneva, Milan, Naples, Lisbon, Faro and Palma de Mallorca.

The West Midlands airport received a recent service boost with the return of Aegean airlines to the fold. At the end of March Aegean recommenced twice-weekly Athens flights with its A320 aircraft. The carrier became the seventh Star Alliance operator at BHX.

In a further bolstering of services across the upcoming summer peak season, Saudi Arabian carrier Saudi airlines will operate its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on a thrice weekly service between Birmingham and Jeddah (JED), effective from July 2.

A Qatar Airways flight lands at Birmingham Airport
Photo Credit: Alec Wilson from Khon Kaen, Thailand, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Qatar Airways will also make a return to Birmingham Airport with its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft from July 10. It will be the first return for the airline following a three-year absence, having suspended flight operations in early 2020.

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