easyJet has unveiled plans to open a new three-aircraft base at Newcastle Airport in March 2026, marking a significant step in its continued UK expansion. The move is expected to create approximately 130 direct jobs for pilots, cabin crew, and engineers, and support around 1,200 UK jobs in total.
This new base, easyJet's 11th in the UK, will allow the airline to broaden its route network from Newcastle, serving a wide catchment area across the North of England and Southern Scotland. The investment will enhance regional connectivity and help strengthen the airline's presence outside of London.
Currently, easyJet operates eight routes from Newcastle, including flights to popular destinations such as Alicante, Amsterdam, Geneva, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Paris, Bristol and Belfast. A new wave of routes and package holiday offerings for summer 2026 is set to be announced in the coming weeks.
The opening of the Newcastle base forms part of easyJet's strategy to capitalise on growth opportunities across its network. It also supports the airline's ambition to increase its share of the UK leisure market and accelerate the growth of its holiday business, easyJet holidays.
This announcement follows recent UK expansions, including the opening of a base at London Southend earlier this year and another at Birmingham International Airport in 2023. Additionally, seven aircraft have been added to the UK fleet this summer.
The UK remains easyJet's largest market, with 56% of its passengers flying to and from UK airports. The airline is set to operate its largest-ever UK flying programme this summer, offering over 33 million seats—an increase of half a million compared to last year—across 44 new routes and three new network destinations.
