easyJet exceeds passenger volume targets
02-Nov-2009 Europe’s leading budget airline easyJet has exceed its passenger volume targets on its London-Helsinki route. In October the airline passed the 100,000-passenger mark. Its popularity is explained in particular by the high number of business passengers choosing to fly on budget airlines.
easyJet launched its first route to Finland on 3 November 2008 and set its annual volume target at 90,000 passengers flying between Helsinki Airport and London Gatwick. On Tuesday the route reached its one-year anniversary, exceeding its target with flying colours. In October the airline passed the impressive 100,000-passenger mark.
During the past year, easyJet has garnered a 13% share of the market on the competitive Helsinki-London route.
"The legacy carriers have lost some of their market share to us. For this we can thank the business travellers, who favour easyJet's speed and convenience," says easyJet Regional General Manager, Northern Europe, Thomas Haagensen.
"easyJet is one of those rare airlines which have thrived in spite of the global recession. Our business model is precisely calculated and adapts quickly to changes," says Haagensen.
Even though holiday travellers have long flocked to budget airlines, the interest of business travellers became evident around a year ago. It was then that easyJet commissioned a TNS Gallup poll on budget airlines, which found that young and business travellers in particular wanted a broader budget flight offering.
Return flights on the Helsinki-London Gatwick route are offered once daily. Fares start at 21,99€, including taxes and fees.