EZY New Base Opens Todays and A New Route STN to Slovenia

Hi Guys,

Found this on easyjet.com

easyJet launches NEW Berlin base and welcomes Slovenia to the EU
Today Europe’s leading low-cost airline is launching its new base at Berlin Schönefeld Airport, with three daily flights from London Luton and daily flights from Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

easyJet is also welcoming Slovenia to the EU with the start of daily flights from London Stansted to Ljubljana today.

Berlin is easyJet’s biggest ever airport launch, with six aircraft operating to 13 new routes starting in the next two months. The German capital will become the airline’s largest base outside the UK, with over 1.5 million passengers travelling through the airport in the first 12 months. The airline’s new services will also bring over 400 jobs to the airport.

One-way fares to Berlin start at £17.99 (£30.98 return including taxes); significantly lower than the high fares charged by the traditional airlines.

easyJet recognises the great potential of the German market. As the economy returns to full strength, Berlin is likely to be come one of the major cultural and business centres of Europe. The airline is planning further expansion from Berlin, and throughout Germany. It expects to significantly increase passenger numbers, by adding more aircraft, increasing frequencies, and choice of routes, which will generate hundreds of more jobs.

The daily service from Stansted to Ljubljana is the first of two new routes, which are part of easyJet’s expansion plans into Eastern Europe. As the European Union expands and 10 new countries join the EU, easyJet believe there are a number of opportunities for growth in the market for low-cost travel for both business and leisure purposes. The second destination will be from Luton to Budapest on 1 May 2004. Fares for both destinations are from £30.98 (return including taxes).

Speaking alongside Matthias Platzeck, the Prime Minister of Brandenburg, and Klaus Wowereit, the Governing Mayor of Berlin, at the official opening ceremony at Berlin today, Ray Webster, easyJet Chief Executive, commented
“This is an exciting day for easyJet, Berlin is our biggest ever airport launch. In less than two months we will be offering consumers a choice of 13 routes using six aircraft. We expect to carry 1.5 million passengers in the first 12 months, and in the next few years we intend to expand significantly to become Berlin’s Number One low-cost airline.

Ray also commented

“With 10 new Member States joining the EU from 1 May, we believe there is a great potential for low-cost airline services. We are delighted to be introducing Budapest and Slovenia into the easyJet network, and close to 60,000 seats have been sold already.”

There are celebrations at each of the airports today, including a unique open-air concert with 80’s pop band ‘Berlin’. The band will be performing the international hit, ‘Take my Breath Away’, and re-creating the video as they sing live in front of an easyJet aircraft at London Luton Airport.