EasyJet (styled as easyJet; LSE: EZJ) is a British airline, running under the low-cost carrier version, based at London Luton Airport.[5] It manages national and international scheduled services on over 820 courses in more than 30 nations.[6][7] easyJet plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a part of the FTSE 100 Index.[8] easyGroup Holdings Ltd (the investment vehicle of the airline's founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and his family) is the largest shareholder with a 34.62% stake (as of July 2014).[9] It employs nearly 11,000 people, based throughout Europe but mainly in the UK.[10]
EasyJet has seen growth since its establishment in 1995, having grown through a combination of acquisitions[11][12] and base openings fuelled by consumer demand for low-cost air travel. The airline, along with associate company easyJet Switzerland, runs more than 200 aircraft,[13] mainly Airbus A319.[13] It has 28 bases across Europe, the largest being Gatwick.[14] In 2014 the airline carried more than 65 million passengers,[15] making it the second-largest airline in Europe by number of passengers carried, behind Ryanair.[16]
EasyJet was featured in the television series Airline broadcast on ITV which followed the airline's operations at London Luton and afterwards at other bases. In November 2016, ITN Productions declared a brand new TV series to be broadcast on ITV in 2017 exploring what it requires to be a pilot in the airline. The present working title of the show is "easyJet: Inside the Cockpit" and will feature unprecedented accessibility to the easyJet pilot training scheme using exceptional, in-cockpit footage.
Origins
The airline was created in 1995, the first company in what would later become the easyGroup conglomerate. It was launched by Greek Cypriot businessman Stelios Haji-Ioannou with two wet leased Boeing 737-200 aircraft, initially operating two courses: London Luton Airport to Edinburgh and Glasgow. To Amsterdam, the first entirely owned aircraft was delivered to the airline, empowering its first international route, in April 1996. Until October 1997, the aircraft were operated by GB Airways and later by Air Foyle, as easyjet phone number had really not received its Air Operator's Certificate.[18]
EasyJet was floated on the London Stock Exchange on 5 November 2000.[18] In October 2004 the FL Group, owner of the airlines Icelandair and Sterling, purchased an 8.4% stake in the airline.[19] Over the course of 2005, FL raised its share in the firm periodically to 16.9%,[19] fuelling speculation that it'd mount a takeover bid for the UK carrier.[20] Yet, in April 2006 the threat of takeover receded as FL sold its stake for €325 million, procuring a gain of €140m on its investment.[21] In November 2005, Ray Webster stood down after 10 years as chief executive officer (CEO) and was replaced by former RAC plc CEO, Andrew Harrison.[22]
EasyJet has seen growth since its establishment in 1995, having grown through a combination of acquisitions[11][12] and base openings fuelled by consumer demand for low-cost air travel. The airline, along with associate company easyJet Switzerland, runs more than 200 aircraft,[13] mainly Airbus A319.[13] It has 28 bases across Europe, the largest being Gatwick.[14] In 2014 the airline carried more than 65 million passengers,[15] making it the second-largest airline in Europe by number of passengers carried, behind Ryanair.[16]
EasyJet was featured in the television series Airline broadcast on ITV which followed the airline's operations at London Luton and afterwards at other bases. In November 2016, ITN Productions declared a brand new TV series to be broadcast on ITV in 2017 exploring what it requires to be a pilot in the airline. The present working title of the show is "easyJet: Inside the Cockpit" and will feature unprecedented accessibility to the easyJet pilot training scheme using exceptional, in-cockpit footage.
Origins
The airline was created in 1995, the first company in what would later become the easyGroup conglomerate. It was launched by Greek Cypriot businessman Stelios Haji-Ioannou with two wet leased Boeing 737-200 aircraft, initially operating two courses: London Luton Airport to Edinburgh and Glasgow. To Amsterdam, the first entirely owned aircraft was delivered to the airline, empowering its first international route, in April 1996. Until October 1997, the aircraft were operated by GB Airways and later by Air Foyle, as easyjet phone number had really not received its Air Operator's Certificate.[18]
EasyJet was floated on the London Stock Exchange on 5 November 2000.[18] In October 2004 the FL Group, owner of the airlines Icelandair and Sterling, purchased an 8.4% stake in the airline.[19] Over the course of 2005, FL raised its share in the firm periodically to 16.9%,[19] fuelling speculation that it'd mount a takeover bid for the UK carrier.[20] Yet, in April 2006 the threat of takeover receded as FL sold its stake for €325 million, procuring a gain of €140m on its investment.[21] In November 2005, Ray Webster stood down after 10 years as chief executive officer (CEO) and was replaced by former RAC plc CEO, Andrew Harrison.[22]