Saturday, August 24, 2024 EasyJet has announced plans to introduce five new flight routes, including four set to commence in the summer of 2025, connecting London Southend Airport with popular Spanish destinations such as Almeria, Reus, Tenerife South, and Gran Canaria. Starting March 30, 2025, the new route to Gran Canaria will operate three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The route to Tenerife South will begin on April 1, with flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Additionally, the connections to Almeria and Reus will also start on April 1, with flights available on Tuesdays and Saturdays. In December 2024, a new route will link Gran Canaria and Edinburgh, with weekly flights every Saturday. These new routes are part of EasyJet’s broader strategy to expand its presence at London Southend Airport, creating approximately 130 jobs for pilots and crew members, as well as additional employment opportunities in the surrounding areas.
Despite protests in the Canary Islands against mass tourism, EasyJet’s expansion is expected to boost tourism in the region. Local activists have expressed concerns about the impact of increased tourist numbers, but the Canary Islands Statistics Institute (ISTAC) predicts a surge in tourism, particularly from British and Spanish visitors to Lanzarote and Tenerife. Occupancy rates are expected to exceed 80% in August 2024.
.
