easyJet celebrate new long term deal with JLA by announcing new route to Cyprus

easyJet and Liverpool John Lennon Airport (JLA) are delighted to confirm the signing of a new 9 year agreement that will see the continued expansion of the UK’s largest airline from Liverpool.

To coincide with this long term commitment to Liverpool, easyJet have also announced the addition of a new destination from JLA, with flights to Larnaca Airport in Cyprus starting this winter.

The airline is also celebrating its inaugural flights to Newquay and Nantes this week.

This new contract will enable easyJet to look at new route opportunities to grow their business from JLA over the long term, building on their already well-established Liverpool base.

The new, twice weekly flights to Larnaca will commence on 2nd November with fares from £30.99 one way. Flights will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays. This will be the first time that JLA will have a scheduled service to the island of Cyprus.

Like Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Larnaca is also part of Vantage Airport Group’s global network of airports and the first within the group to be linked with Liverpool.

This linking of airports was always a goal when Vantage acquired the majority shareholding in JLA in 2010, with the two airports working closely together to encourage easyJet to operate the service.

Matthew Thomas, CEO Liverpool John Lennon Airport commented, “The Airport has worked in partnership with easyjet for over 15 years and we have seen both our businesses expand dramatically during this time.

"This latest agreement shows their continued commitment towards sustaining and growing their business here at Liverpool and we look forward to seeing more easyJet passengers and destinations over the next 9 years and beyond.”

Ali Gayward, Commercial Manager for easyJet, said: “Liverpool was one of easyJet’s original bases and remains one of our largest bases in Europe. We are pleased to have secured a new agreement with John Lennon Airport which outlines our long term commitment to Liverpool and allows easyJet to add exciting new destinations such as Larnarca.

“During 2013 easyJet will launch three new routes from Liverpool as Newquay, Nantes and Larnaca join the list of 30 beach and city destinations we offer. Cyprus is a great winter sun destination with some of the Mediterranean’s best beaches and a rich culture, so we’re confident it will prove a popular addition to Liverpool."

Larnaca International Airport is the primary gateway to the Republic of Cyprus located on the south coast of the island. Cyprus benefits from over 300 days of sun per year and is expected to be a popular destination from Liverpool for passengers across the North West in search of some winter sun.

The island is offering something for everyone, regardless of interests, age or budget. Cyprus is a year-round island where each visitor always has the opportunity to discover something new and wonderful. Enjoy swimming in the warm crystal clear waters and within an hour find yourself skiing on the snowy peaks of the mountains, cycling through the welcoming villages of the countryside, hiking in pine-scented forests and exploring magnificent ancient monuments such as the Greek temples and theatres and the Byzantine churches.

easyJet launched its first flights from Liverpool nearly 16 years ago with services to Amsterdam and Nice in October 1997. In their first full year of operation they carried almost 140,000 passengers on flights from and to Liverpool. Last year easyJet carried over 17 times that figure with over 2.4 million passengers choosing to fly on their Liverpool services.

easyJet now offers flights to 30 destinations from Liverpool Airport including Newquay and Nantes. For more information visit www.easyJet.com