easyJet and Bristol Airport have reached a remarkable milestone by carrying more than 80 million passengers to and from the airport. To celebrate this achievement, the airline surprised two travellers—Kate Sibbald and Alex Coomber from Cardiff—who were en route to Geneva, awarding them return tickets to any destination across easyJet’s network.
Since launching operations at Bristol Airport in May 2001 with inaugural flights to Faro, Majorca, and Nice, easyJet has cemented its presence in the region. A year later, in August 2002, the airline established a permanent base at Bristol. Fast forward 24 years, and the addition of its 19th Airbus A320neo aircraft in June underscores the sustained strong demand from the South West.
This summer saw the launch of new routes to Palermo and Almería, while four winter destinations—Munich, Vienna, Zurich, and Verona—have just been announced and are now available for booking. With these additions, easyJet now offers connections to 85 destinations spanning the UK, Europe, and North Africa.
The milestone has been warmly acknowledged by industry leaders. Mike Kane, Aviation Minister, praised the milestone, highlighting how continued investment in the region is boosting tourism, trade, and job creation. Kevin Doyle, easyJet’s UK Country Manager, expressed delight in having flown so many passengers since 2001 and emphasized that the growing fleet enhances connectivity, supports local skilled jobs, and delivers value through the airline’s expansive short-haul network and holiday offerings.
Dave Lees, Chief Executive at Bristol Airport, reflected on the enduring partnership between the airport and easyJet. He expressed pride in being among the airline’s largest European bases, thanks to the 19 aircraft stationed there, which support thousands of local jobs. He also hailed the quieter, more efficient Airbus jets—many of whose components are designed in the West of England. Looking forward, he expressed optimism about expanding the route network, delivering more holiday choices, and enabling even more travellers to fly from their local airport.
