easyJet to open Amsterdam base in spring 2015

easyJet announced (17-Jul-2014) plans to open a base at the Netherlands' Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in spring 2015, with three based A320 aircraft and the creation of 120 new jobs. The carrier also plans to launch six times weekly Amsterdam-Hamburg service on 03-Nov-2014, with additional routes to be launched "later this autumn" - see Route Changes Table for more information. easyJet expects to carry an additional 600,000 passengers from the airport next year, a 16% increase on its current annual traffic of 3.5 million. easyJet CEO Carolyn McCall said: "This base is the next step in our long term contribution to Dutch aviation that started in 1996. Today's announcement marks the beginning of a new programme of growth at Schiphol. We have built a strong number two position here which we now need to consolidate and grow." Ms McCall added: "One million business travellers already fly with easyJet to and from Schiphol - around one third of our total number of passengers. Our latest expansion plans at Schiphol will only help grow this number." Schiphol Group president and CEO Jos Nijhuis stated: "easyJet is a loyal customer that flies to Schiphol since 1996. By opening a base, easyJet confirms this sustainable relationship that European destinations add to Schiphol." [more - original PR]