easyJet Announces Further Icelandic Expansion

After the successful launch of flights to Keflavik International Airport, which serves as the main international gateway to the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, earlier this year from London Luton, easyJet has announced plans to introduce two new routes from Manchester and Edinburgh from March 2013. Both new routes will be operated on a twice weekly basis from March 14, 2013 and March 21, 2013 respectively.

“We’re delighted to be expanding our flights from the UK to Reykjavik in response to the route’s growing popularity. The destination is proving popular for leisure and business travelers alike,” said Paul Simmons, UK Director at easyJet. “We has carried almost 30,000 passengers between London and Reykjavik since its London Luton service to the city launched in March and we anticipate over 75,000 more passengers will take advantage of the easy and affordable flights from Manchester and Edinburgh next Summer.”

Iceland is renowned for its geothermal hot springs, ethereal glaciers and magical views of the Northern Lights – as well as its volcanoes, the most famous of which Eyjafjallajökull brought European aviation to a standstill when it erupted in April 2010. There has been a growing demand for air services to the Atlantic island and in 2011 capacity between the UK and Iceland grew 11.2 per cent on 2010. In 2012, Icelandair has boosted capacity between the two markets by just over ten per cent, while both easyJet and WOW Air have launched new services.

Alongside the new routes, easyJet says the success of its initial London Luton – Keflavik connection will lead to flights being increased from three to four per week throughout the year, bringing the total number of easyJet flights to Iceland to eight per week from next March.

“easyJet’s decision is a positive step and a sign of confidence in the Icelandic economy,” added Steingrimur J. Sigfusson, Iceland’s Minister of Industries, Innovation and Tourism. “It’s terrific news that easyJet is increasing its services and adding these new routes to Reykjavik. We have a wealth of beauty, history and wonders to explore. There really is something for everyone, all year round and we welcome the expansion.”

In 2011 an estimated 371,000 O&D passengers travelled between Iceland and the UK, up 25.0 per cent on the previous year. The table below highlights the top five routes between the two countries in 2011, ranked by approximate O&D demand.

This growth in the market has continued into 2012 with O&D demand for the first six months estimated to be in the region of 17 per cent. Although easyJet only inaugurated flights in March 2012 and operated for just over three of the six months in this period, the low-cost carrier has already secured around a 5.5 per cent market share, a figure that is expected to grow for the full year and for 2013 following this latest expansion.