Budget airline easyJet has announced plans to open a base at Birmingham Airport for three of its aircraft from next March.
This investment will create around 100 direct jobs, including pilots and crew, and is expected to support a further 1,200 indirect jobs in the West Midlands region, according to the airline. It will base three of its 186-seater, A320 aircraft at the airport in Solihull.
Chief executive Johan Lundgren said: "We are delighted to be announcing our new base in Birmingham, the UK's second largest city, which creates around 100 direct and many more indirect jobs.
"Having already served Birmingham for many years, the decision to open a base and grow at the airport now is testament to the strong demand we see, coupled with the importance of the UK market in supporting our profitable growth.
"The UK is easyJet's largest market with 55 per cent of all easyJet passengers flying to and from UK airports so this move will not only reinforce our leadership position as the UK's largest airline but also demonstrates our confidence in the resilient strength of demand for travel, with customers choosing us for our trusted brand, unrivalled network and great value fares."
Airport chief executive Nick Barton added: "This landmark investment by easyJet is a huge vote of confidence in the West Midlands.
"Basing three aircraft will create many more jobs for local people and many more options for customers. Years of hard work have led to this. Together, we look forward to years of future success."
easyJet already serves domestic connections and international routes from Birmingham including Amsterdam, Geneva, Milan and Lisbon.
The addition of more aircraft at Birmingham Airport will enable it to further expand its network with new routes.
