Yahoo Finance EasyJet Expands Luton Base In 10-Year Deal
EasyJet (Other OTC: ESYJY - news) is to increase its capacity at Luton Airport by 20%, claiming it will create up to 2,500 new jobs in the region.
The 10-year deal with the airport comes as it prepares an ambitious expansion programme that includes flying 135 new Airbus aircraft.
The airline did not reveal the terms of the deal with the airport, which is 35 miles (56km) northwest of London.
Luton is the headquarters of easyJet's operations and already employs 1,600 staff locally.
Chief executive Carolyn McCall said: "Around 60% of what we will do is thickening our routes and frequencies and about 30-40% will be about new destinations."
Last Thursday the budget carrier agreed a separate seven-year deal with Gatwick Airport, its largest flight hub.
It intends to increase capacity at Gatwick, 28 miles south of the capital, by 10% within the next year.
Luton is London's fourth busiest airport and is waiting for Government approval for a £150m redevelopment project.
The airline said the number of Luton passengers could more than double to about 9 million annually if the airport is redesigned.
"London Luton can make a real and immediate contribution to the need for more airport capacity in the south east," Ms McCall added.
Luton is owned by the local council and has been operated by investment firm Ardian and airport operator Aena Group since November 2013.
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