00:00EasyJet has confirmed that its newest UK base will be in Newcastle Airport.
00:04The announcement brings over 1,200 new jobs to the region, as well as another 130 for the airline itself.
00:11So we today have announced the launch of a new base, which will be opening in spring next year.
00:17It'll be consistent of three aircraft that we're investing in Newcastle
00:21to give us customers more choice, more connectivity,
00:25and a better air-flying and holidays product that we haven't seen before in Newcastle.
00:34And I guess the first question is really, why the new base? Why Newcastle?
00:37Newcastle is perfect for us.
00:39So we've actually been flying and had a relationship with Newcastle since 2002.
00:43We first had a base here back in 2003.
00:46So we know the consumer extremely, extremely well.
00:48In fact, in a recent survey that EasyJet delivered,
00:52we referenced the fact that 88% of our customers are prioritising international travel and holidays
01:01as part of their most prioritised part of their budgets after builds.
01:05And we know that's true for Newcastle as well.
01:08So the relationship that we've got with the airport,
01:11the knowledge of the consumer that we have in Newcastle,
01:15makes this such a good strategic choice for EasyJet.
01:18In EasyJet have announced they're going to be basing aircraft from Spring 26.
01:22So that's three aircraft they're investing,
01:24which will bring hundreds of thousands of seats into the market.
01:28It's going to be adding a greater portfolio of destinations and choice
01:32for the North East travelling public.
01:34It will build on the network to then support the EasyJet holidays product.
01:38So it's absolutely fantastic.
01:39In addition to that, it's going to create jobs,
01:41jobs for the EasyJet staff, so about 130 staff there,
01:44and then over a thousand other indirect jobs across the airport site and the wider region.
01:49And then equally, that added investment with the breadth of network that EasyJet has
01:53will help drive inbound to tourism and the economic benefit that comes from there.
01:57And how did deals like this come about?
01:59Is it the airline coming to you?
02:00Are you going to the airline?
02:01How does the relationship begin and work out?
02:03Well, we've had a relationship.
02:04EasyJet have served Newcastle Airport since 2002.
02:08So a longstanding and really strong relationship.
02:10And we work with them continuously to look at opportunities.
02:13And you can see that the existing network already from EasyJet
02:16with eight routes, so domestic, city and sunshine,
02:20and the demand and performance that's gone through there has really supported that investment.
02:24So as we talk and look for opportunities,
02:27Newcastle's a strategic option for EasyJet.
02:29Really strong brand, really strong demand.
02:31So it brings us to today for this great announcement.
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