EasyJet has confirmed plans to open a base at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport next spring, also coinciding with the launch of three new U.K. routes servicing the Costa Blanca.
Representatives of the low-cost airline discussed details of the initiatives during meetings with Costa Blanca tourism authorities at this month’s World Travel Market in London.
Later, Toni Pérez, president of the Diputación de Alicante (provincial government) and mayor of Benidorm, said, “This is a clear commitment by the airline to the Costa Blanca destination, a decision that has important economic and connectivity repercussions for the entire province of Alicante.”
Perez said the opening of a new EasyJet base – the airline’s fourth in Spain (after Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, Málaga-Costa del Sol and Palma de Mallorca) – would be accompanied by a series of promotional initiatives, including celebrations for the 30 millionth passenger at Alicante-Elche Airport, street marketing coinciding with St. Nicholas Day (Sinterklass, on 6 December), special Alicante Christmas products and a raffle for flights to Amsterdam.
He confirmed that EasyJet was planning to launch nine new routes next year, linking the Costa Blanca with Southampton, Newcastle, Belfast City, Zurich, Prague, Lyon, Nantes, Nice and Lille.
The Prague service is due to begin operations on 1 April 2024, twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, with a travel time of just under three hours. German low-cost carrier Eurowings is also reported to be planning to resume its flights between Prague and Alicante-Elche from 31 March.
The Southampton route will be launched on 31 March and Belfast City on 2 May, while the Newcastle service will be relaunched on 2 April. The three U.K. routes are scheduled to operate throughout summer, with Southampton once a week on Sundays, Newcastle twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and Belfast City twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays.
According to reports in the local press, Alicante-Elche Airport’s new Southend winter route will also be included in the airline’s summer 2024 schedule.
EasyJet Bag Collection Service at London Gatwick
Passengers on EasyJet flights from London Gatwick can now take advantage of a bag collection, delivery and door-to-door service.
Arranged in partnership with baggage collection and delivery specialist Airportr, the service is available for £37 for flights to any of EasyJet’s European destinations. The first 300 customers will receive 30 per cent off their booking by using the code: 30OFFAIRPORTRLAUNCH
The service has initially been introduced for customers flying from London Gatwick as well as Geneva, and it will also be included for easyJet FLEXI fare customers.
Passengers are able to check in their bags from a designated pick-up point (such as a home office or hotel), for collection by an accredited driver, and they can then be collected from the baggage belt on arrival at their destination.