easyJet has launched a new route from Glasgow Airport to Porto Airport and from Edinburgh Airport to Catania Airport, which will take off for the first time next summer.
Flights to Porto from Glasgow are scheduled to launch on 31 March 2023 with twice-weekly departures on Mondays and Fridays.
Flights to Catania from Edinburgh are set to launch on 2 June 2023 and will also operate twice a week on Mondays and Fridays throughout the summer season.
The new routes follow last month’s announcement that easyJet will add another aircraft to its Edinburgh base to serve customer demand from the Scottish capital from next summer.
The 186-seat A320neo aircraft will be based in Edinburgh throughout the year. The addition of the new aircraft will also create around 40 job opportunities at Edinburgh airport.
The airline has also recently revealed the results of research conducted in November 2022 which has shown that almost two-thirds (64%) are planning on flying abroad in 2023.
Holidays topped the list of most important things people planned to spend on in 2023, with two-thirds (66%) saying this was the most important.
70% of people surveyed agreed that they will prioritise a holiday over other expenditures in their yearly budget and three quarters said it was one of their most important plans for next year.
To prioritise their holiday, people will be cutting back on other discretionary spending like eating out (46%) or new clothes (40%) and on big purchases such as new cars or home improvements (33%).
Consumers are also looking at the way they holiday to prioritise a holiday, with two-thirds of people saying they will be booking with a low-cost carrier (66%).
Three-quarters of people will fly short haul instead of long haul (74%) and holiday in closer to home destinations in Europe (70%) to protect their holidays.
The majority (80%) also believed that holidaying in the UK can be more expensive.
Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK Country Manager, commented:
“I am delighted to be announcing new routes from both Edinburgh and Glasgow today, providing our Scottish customers with more direct links to more of Europe’s most popular city and beach destinations next summer.
“We know that holidays are important to people, not only does travelling connect friends and family but it offers a wealth of benefits, from promoting wellbeing to experiencing new cultures.
“The results of our survey just go to show what a priority it is for people, with so many determined to protect their holidays.
“With our low fares and unrivalled European network, easyJet is ideally placed to offer a fantastic value and great quality holiday that people don’t have to compromise on.
“It is fantastic to see that so many consumers plan to travel next year already, and we look forward to welcoming them onboard.”
Kate Sherry, Aviation Director at Edinburgh Airport said:
“Italy continues to be a country that people wish to explore and sample some of the finest food that Europe has to offer and adding a destination like Catania offers that and much more.
“From amazing views and a mix of history, culture and modern Italy, it’s a city that quite rightly appears on many wish lists and we’re happy to see easyJet expand its offering at Edinburgh Airport.”
Matt Hazelwood, Chief Commercial Officer at AGS Airport’s Ltd, which owns Glasgow Airport, said:
“We are very excited by the news that easyJet will launch this summer route to Porto, particularly given it is a brand-new destination for Glasgow Airport.
“The introduction of a twice-weekly service from 31 March will be welcome news for Scottish leisure travellers looking to visit and explore one of Portugal’s most historic coastal cities.”
Customers can look forward to taking advantage of new routes from Scotland next summer, including:
> Glasgow to Porto will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays from 31 March 2023 with fares available from £29.99.
> Edinburgh to Catania flights will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays from 2 June 2023 with fares available from £31.99.
To find out more, visit easyJet.com.
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