Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low fares airline will receive 10 new aircraft over the next two months, worth $700 million. The aircraft will result in 50 new routes that will create 5,000 new jobs.

Peter Sherrard, Ryanair’s head of communications, said: “Ryanair’s $700 million investment will create 5,000 jobs across Europe as we expand our existing bases at Barcelona Girona, East Midlands, London Stansted and launch our second German base in Bremen.”

Ryanair is starting 50 new routes all over Europe in the coming months, thanks to these aircraft, bringing even lower fares to European consumers. These new routes will provide a massive boost to local economies all over Europe with increased visitor numbers and massive savings for passengers.”

easyJet is also in fast growth mode. It this week opened the doors to its new head office at London Luton airport, Hangar 89. The former Britannia/TUI building is located just 150 metres from its current office, easyLand.

Management and admin staff have been making the move across this week.

Work began last year on the £3.1 million refurbishment project. H89 was built in 1974 and had kept its traditional 1970s office style.

In addition to over 30,000 sq ft of office space, H89 can house three Airbus 319s-Boeing 737s at any one time, giving the airline much-needed hangar space at Luton.

Consolidating the premises also means savings to the business, which ultimately will be passed on to the consumer.

Andy Harrison, easyJet CEO, said: “This is a very exciting development for easyJet; our current building at easyLand has been a great start for the airline in its younger years but Hangar 89 will better serve the needs of the business.”