Easy jet CEO Carolyn McCall confirmed that the airline has signed long term deals with Gatwick and Luton Airports. The UK low cost carrier signed a seven year deal with Gatwick and a ten year deal with Luton. This deal will lead to a better environment for growth. Following the deal signed in Gatwick, Easy jet has announced plans to replace its 156 seater planes with a 180 seat airbus by the year 2017. The UK airline has a strategy in place that will see passenger growth rise by at least 10% every year in London Gatwick airport.
Currently the UK airline has 57 aircrafts at London Gatwick which fly to 108 different destinations in the world. Ms. Carolyn said that Gatwick was one of their largest bases and that the deal is equally important to them. The deal assures them of customer charges for the next seven years and the potential for growth. Mr. Stewart Wingate echoed Ms. Carolyn’s sentiments saying that this deal shows just how much Gatwick has grown. He added that being able to take on new frameworks of contracts and commitments is no mean feat for the London Airport. This deal comes four years after the end of the BAA monopoly at London Gatwick airport.
With 15 aircrafts at Luton airport the ten year deal could lead to increased passenger numbers to double the current number. The airline is keen on adding new routes for business and leisure from the airport. It also plans on increasing the frequencies to all existing destinations. The CEO of Easy jet said that their financial investment and plans to growing Luton contributed to the signing of the ten year deal. She added that they would like to see the passenger growth at the airport which is currently at 10 million per year rise to 18 million.
