Madrid to be first Spanish base for easyJet

Low-cost airline easyJet is to set up a southern European base at Madrid airport.

Barajas Airport will be easyJet’s 17th base and the first in Spain. Operations are set to start on February 16, 2007 with several brand new routes.

EasyJet began operating from Barajas in 1998 and is now the fourth largest airline, and the largest low-fares operator, to fly from the Spanish capital.

Andy Harrison, easyJet chief executive, said: “While Madrid is one of Europe’s largest and most important capital cities, it is still underserved by low-fares airlines.

“easyJet’s new base will make Madrid much more accessible for international visitors and will offer Spanish consumers low cost with care and convenience.”

This announcement from easyJet will be seen as a challenge to the Spanish flag carrier, Iberia, who launched its own budget service Clickair a few weeks ago.

Spain is already easyJet’s second largest market, behind the UK, with more than seven million passengers in 2005. The airline currently offers nine international routes from Madrid, including London, Bristol and Liverpool.

© Cheapflights Ltd Craig McGinty