easyJet strengthens regional network with major Newcastle investment delivering new routes and increased capacity

(IN SHORT) easyJet has opened its 11th UK base at Newcastle Airport, marking a significant expansion of its regional operations and supporting around 1,200 jobs, including 140 direct roles. The airline will operate up to 86 weekly flights across 22 routes, representing an 85% increase from last summer and significantly expanding destination choices for customers in the North East and surrounding regions. The new base also supports the rapid growth of easyJet holidays, with over 800,000 seats available for the summer season. As part of its broader UK strategy, easyJet continues to invest in fleet expansion, new routes, and operational efficiency, strengthening connectivity and supporting economic growth across the country.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUTON, UK, 2026-Mar-23 — /Travel PR News/ — easyJet has opened a new operational base at Newcastle Airport, marking a significant step in its continued expansion across the UK and reinforcing its commitment to regional connectivity, job creation, and increased travel options for customers.

The new base, easyJet’s 11th in the UK, will be supported by three aircraft and is expected to generate approximately 1,200 jobs, including around 140 direct roles for pilots and cabin crew. This latest development continues the airline’s recent growth momentum, following the launch of bases in Birmingham in 2024 and London Southend in 2025.

From Newcastle Airport, easyJet is now operating up to 86 flights per week across 22 routes, representing an 85% increase compared to the previous summer season. The expansion has significantly broadened the airline’s offering in the North East, nearly tripling the number of available destinations and providing enhanced travel options for customers across the region, including Southern Scotland, North Yorkshire, and Cumbria.

New routes launched as part of the base opening include a wide range of leisure destinations such as Antalya, Corfu, Dalaman, Enfidha, Faro, Lisbon, Malta, Nice, Prague, Reus, Rhodes, Rome, Sharm El Sheikh, and Tenerife. The expanded network provides more than 800,000 seats for the summer season, supporting strong demand for both flights and package holidays.

The new base is also expected to accelerate the growth of easyJet holidays, with the airline anticipating its largest summer season to date in 2026. Popular destinations for package holidays from Newcastle currently include Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, and Rhodes.

Across the UK, easyJet continues to expand its fleet, with eight additional Airbus A320 family aircraft being introduced at bases including Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Newcastle. These newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft support the airline’s strategy to improve connectivity while reducing environmental impact.

Since 2023, easyJet has expanded its regional operations by nearly one-third and introduced over 200 new routes, strengthening access to affordable travel for UK consumers. The airline now offers more than 60 million seats to and from the UK annually, reflecting a 5% increase year-on-year.

Kenton Jarvis, CEO of easyJet, described the opening of the Newcastle base as a major milestone that underscores the airline’s continued investment in the UK. He highlighted the importance of aviation in supporting economic growth, noting that the new base will enhance regional connectivity, create skilled employment opportunities, and provide customers with greater choice and value.

Nick Jones, CEO of Newcastle Airport, emphasized the positive impact of the investment on the region, including increased passenger choice, job creation, and the potential to attract more visitors. He noted that the airport is preparing for its busiest year on record, with six million passengers expected.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness also welcomed the development, highlighting its role in boosting tourism and supporting local employment across the region’s supply chain. She pointed to the importance of the airport as both a gateway for travellers and a driver of economic activity.

easyJet, which has served the UK for 30 years and carried over 800 million passengers, remains the largest airline in the country, operating across 22 UK airports and offering more than 650 routes to nearly 140 destinations across Europe and North Africa. The opening of the Newcastle base further strengthens its position while supporting continued growth in regional markets.

About easyJet

easyJet is one of Europe’s largest airlines offering a unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe’s primary airports with great value fares and friendly service.

easyJet flies on more of Europe’s most popular routes than any other airline and carried 100 million passengers in 2025. The airline has over 350 aircraft flying on over 1,200 routes to more than 160 airports across 35 countries. Over 300 million Europeans live within one hour’s drive of an easyJet airport.

easyJet aims to be a good corporate citizen, employing people on local contracts in nine countries across Europe in full compliance with national laws and recognising their trade unions. The airline supports several local charities and has a corporate partnership with UNICEF which has raised over £17m for the most vulnerable children since it was established in 2012.

In 2022, easyJet published its roadmap to net zero by 2050. The roadmap, which also features a combination of fleet renewal, operational efficiencies, airspace modernisation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel and carbon removal technology, has set an ambitious interim carbon emissions intensity reduction target of 35% by 2035, validated by the Science-based targets initiative (SBTi). The airline’s ultimate aim is to fully transition its fleet to zero carbon emission technology, which it will achieve through a number of strategic partnerships including with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN Aerospace Solutions. Since 2000, the airline has successfully reduced its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by one-third and is the number 1 ESG rated airline in Europe by Sustainalytics, MSCI and CDP.

Innovation is in easyJet’s DNA – since launching over 30 years ago, easyJet changed the way people fly to the present day where the airline leads the industry in digital and operational innovations to make travel more easy and affordable for its passengers.

In 2023 easyJet was named by TIME as one of the World’s Best Companies and a Leader in Diversity 2024 by The Financial Times

About easyJet holidays:

easyJet holidays, launched in 2019, is a leading package holiday provider operating from the UK, Switzerland, Germany, and France.

In 2025, it took over 3.1 million customers on holiday, providing great value beach and city breaks to more than 10,000 hotels across 100+ destinations in Europe and North Africa. It offers a wide range of holiday types, including its market-leading Luxury Collection with handpicked 5* hotels and expertly curated packages.

ATOL-protected holidays can be booked via its website or 7,000+ travel agents, starting from a £60 deposit per person and including flights, accommodation, 23kg luggage, and transfers on beach breaks. easyJet holidays is ABTA member and offers Ultimate Flexibility with booking changes, a refund guarantee, and Best Price Guarantee.

Crowned Champions of Sustainability, easyJet holidays’ ‘Holiday Better’ strategy focuses on making more sustainable holidays mainstream, minimising tourism impacts, and embedding sustainability in its business. It partners with UN Tourism to develop an ESG framework for tourism, creating tools to measure industry impact on people, planet, and prosperity.

easyJet holidays was also named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

About Newcastle Airport

Newcastle Airport is a public private partnership. Seven local authorities own 51% of the Airport company; Durham County Council, Gateshead MB Council, Newcastle City Council, Northumberland Council, North Tyneside Council, South Tyneside Council and Sunderland City Council. 49% is owned by InfraBridge, an infrastructure manager.

Newcastle is a multi-award winning Airport which provides vital connectivity for the North East region to the world and is on track to welcome a record-breaking six million passengers in 2026.

The Airport contributes more than £1bn in GVA annually to the regional economy and around 3,500 people are employed on its site. More than 17,000 jobs are also supported through its supply chain.

The Airport is committed to becoming Net Zero by 2035 and has been recognised as a ‘sustainability sector leader’.

For further information, please contact the easyJet Press Office via medicentre.easyJet.com/contacts or on 01582 525252

Notes to editors

*Each UK-based aircraft directly supports 400 jobs and £27m UK GVA considering direct, indirect and induced impacts according to an independent assessment commissioned by Airlines UK.

SOURCE: easyJet