‘EastJet has made a strong start to 2012’, according to Chief Executive Caroline McCall. Sitting on an EasyJet flight recently to one of their newer and more distant network destinations ‘Amman’, it was evident why. Every seat was occupied and I certainly was not the only suit-wearing business traveller onboard.
EasyJet has been trying to take a bigger bite out of the business travel market in recent years. Diversification in terms of network choice and features aimed at Business travellers are obviously making a difference. These include flexible bookings enabling itinerary and name changes up to two hours before departure; no weight restriction on hand luggage as long as it fits into one of the famous EasyJet ‘orange baggage frames’; potential to jump on an earlier flight for free or a later flight if availability allows for a rescue ‘fee’ and onboard extras such as speedy boarding and on loan ipads. Add to that a new base at ‘Southend Airport’; a boost for Olympic traffic and also an additional London hub for the airline, all point to another strong year within the corporate sector.
Statistics support the airlines attempts to woo business travellers and their innovation in network expansion, with healthy growth in passenger numbers. In the last three months of 2011, the number of business travellers on EasyJet increased by 200,000 over the same period in 2010.
Another bonus in 2012 is that Jordan is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the rediscovery of Petra this year, this particular routing is likely to remain very popular among business and leisure travellers alike and again seems an astute decision by EasyJet. However, the 00:20 arrival back to London Gatwick from Amman gives travellers a dilemma in getting home...thankfully the Gatwick Express saved the day whisking me to Victoria in just 30 minutes.
For more information go to: www.easyjet.com & www.gatwickexpress.com