easyJet at Runways UK

Speaking at Runways UK, Sophie Dekkers, UK Director of easyJet, made it clear that the airline is keen to get into an expanded Heathrow.  “We strongly welcome the Airports Commission’s clear and unanimous recommendation for expansion at Heathrow," she said.

“We have mapped a potential network for an easyJet base (at T4), with up to 30 aircraft.  Our network planning suggests we could provide around 19 new routes and increase services on 50 other routes – 69 routes in total.”  Asked about a takeover of the about to be abandoned routes by Virgin Atlantic’s ill-conceived ‘Little Red’ leaving British Airways with a UK domestic monopoly she said that there were not enough slots available to make it viable.  She did make the point that easyJet’s costs were 40% lower than the legacy airlines. Asked about passengers connecting with long haul operations she said that it was working effectively at Gatwick on an informal basis.

“Heathrow does not currently have low-cost, short haul airlines but an expanded Heathrow would allow airlines like easyJet to operate there – providing more competition which will mean new routes, more services and lower fares,” she said.  www.easyjet.com

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OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum

Martin Clough, UK

LHR is the nation's premier airport and any future expansion there in terms of additional slots should surely be allocated to new or underserved routes with an element of business content especially services to developing markets which would benefit UKPLC, hub connectivity and with some services to the UK regions. It is inconceivable that a large proportion of slots would be allocated for LCC services which provide low fares and competition at other London area airports although it is desirable that there should be some competition on the main LHR domestic routes.