Easyjet yesterday confirmed that it had purchased 32 routes operated by British Airways' subsidiary GB Airways, which will mean that it is now offering flights from Manchester and London Gatwick to Malta through summer 2008.
There was much talk of Easyjet operating flights to Malta when the market was opened up to low cost carriers a couple of years ago. However, Easyjet had pulled out of discussions, paving the way for Ryanair to operate flights to and from the country.
However, after rumours that Easyjet would buy up the GB Airways routes, the low cost carrier officially announced yesterday, through its website, that it had acquired the routes. There was also talk of the Malta route only being offered until March, however, this newspaper found that it could 'book' flights online throughout 2008.
A quick look at various online holiday firms confirmed this. GB Airways will continue to operate up to 29 March, and flights can be booked on EasyJet as from departure date 30 March. The online check-in facility is not yet available in Malta, and while all prices on the website include government taxes, there is a Sterling7.98 charge on hold baggage.
A transaction fee will be applied when you pay by Visa debit or credit card, MasterCard, Diners Club, American Express, ELV, UATP/Airplus or Maestro/Solo, except for payments by Carte Bleue or Visa Electron. Credit cards incur a percentage charge of 1.95% of the total amount payable, with a minimum charge of £4.95. Debit cards, except Carte Bleue or Visa Electron, are subject to a fixed £1.50 charge.
In October 2007, EasyJet announced its intention to buy Gatwick-based GB airways, which operates as a British Airways franchise. BA has now terminated all sales for flights from 30 March, 2008. It is intended that GB Airways will continue to operate all routes under the British Airways brand until 29 March. After this, subject to regulatory approval, the GB flights will operate under the EasyJet brand and all customers who have booked to travel with GB Airways next summer will be given the choice of flying with EasyJet at the same times or else receive a refund.
By winter 2008, GB Airways will be fully integrated into the EasyJet business model subject to regulatory clearance. In order to continue to provide competition and choice for customers, EasyJet has entered into a code-share agreement and can offer the GB Airways routes through easyJet.com.
In total EasyJet will now offer a choice of 66 routes from Gatwick and a further six from Manchester. Bloomberg reported that GB has two aircraft based at Manchester and EasyJet will add three more planes by 2010.
Expansion at Manchester and Liverpool airports will make EasyJet the biggest airline operating in northwest England, according to the company, carrying four million passengers in the region a year. The Luton, England-based carrier plans to add two planes to its base at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, bringing the total to 10 by 2010.
“EasyJet recognises the strong demand for low-cost convenient services from the northwest,” People Director Mike Campbell said in the statement. “The GB operation at Manchester provides us with a great base on which we can build and tap in to a new market.”