Thursday, June 08, 2006
New London Gatwick <> Glasgow as easyJet takes on BA
easyJet is to introduce a new three-times daily service to Glasgow International Airport from 2 October 2006. It will also increase flight frequencies to Madrid, Milan, Cologne, Athens, Berlin and Amsterdam. They have announced that they are to take on BA who's share of flights from London Gatwick has declined from 47% to 38% since 2002. BA has been reducing capacity on routes operated by easyJet and withdrawn altogether from others. easyJet recently added three new routes from Gatwick to Milan Malpensa, Marrakech and Split.
EasyJet's service is less of a culture shock for defecting BA passengers than some low cost airlines who have stripped away all of the “frills” from their service and fly at off peak hours to reduce costs.
easyJet now offers a number of services aimed at winning over business customers:
“easyJet has grown dramatically at Gatwick over the last few years by offering its familiar combination of low-fares with care and convenience and has grown Gatwick to be our biggest single airport base.
“Given the range of services we now offer – from speedy boarding to the best hand baggage allowance in the business – it’s not surprising that BA’s passengers are flocking to easyJet in record numbers and today’s announcement will strengthen further our position at Gatwick.”
EasyJet's service is less of a culture shock for defecting BA passengers than some low cost airlines who have stripped away all of the “frills” from their service and fly at off peak hours to reduce costs.
easyJet now offers a number of services aimed at winning over business customers:
- A hand baggage allowance of equivalent volume to BA Club Class but with no weight restriction
- Access to airport lounges for fee
- Free transfer to an earlier flight if meetings finish early
- Overnight check-in at Gatwick for early flights
- Internet check-in (and 15 minute arrival time at the departure gate)
- Speedy Boarding (£5 per sector) for those that want to board the aircraft first
“easyJet has grown dramatically at Gatwick over the last few years by offering its familiar combination of low-fares with care and convenience and has grown Gatwick to be our biggest single airport base.
“Given the range of services we now offer – from speedy boarding to the best hand baggage allowance in the business – it’s not surprising that BA’s passengers are flocking to easyJet in record numbers and today’s announcement will strengthen further our position at Gatwick.”
