easyJet yesterday, Sunday 03 July, launched its new service between Manchester and Gibraltar.

Operating twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays, the new route will be operated by Airbus 320s with 180 seats. Manchester joins Bristol and London Gatwick on the easyJet’s route network from Gibraltar. With this new route, the airline will operate 16 weekly services to Gibraltar in the peak summer months. The new service will operate on year round basis.

The flight was welcomed with a water cannon salute provided by the Gibraltar Airport Fire and Rescue Service and passengers were greeted at the aircraft steps by the Gibraltar Re-enactment Society in period costume. Passengers were presented with gifts by a team from the Gibraltar Tourist Board.

There to welcome passengers was Minister for Tourism Samantha Sacramento MP, CEO Gibraltar Air Terminal Ltd & Gibraltar Airport Fire and Rescue Service, Terence Lopez, and Chief Executive of the Gibraltar Tourist Board, Nicky Guerrero.

Samantha Sacramento MP, Minister for Tourism, Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar commented:

"We are delighted that easyJet is increasing its presence in Gibraltar and adding a third UK departure point, increasing the number of seats offered and showing their commitment to the Gibraltar market which has been continuously growing over the last few years to record annual numbers for both business and tourism."

“This is a particularly busy summer at Gibraltar International Airport and it is a reflection of the hard work carried out by all those involved in ensuring that we grow this sector of the tourism industry in a suitable and effective manner.”

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s Head of Gibraltar, said:

“We’re delighted that we have now added this new route to our network from Gibraltar and have operated the inaugural flight from Manchester.

“We continue to see an increased number of travellers looking to fly with easyJet on our Gibraltar routes and with affordable fares and flight time of just over two and a half hours, we’re confident that this new service will prove popular with both business and leisure travellers.

“We remain fully committed to serving Gibraltar and supporting the growth of tourism and business through our easy and affordable fares.”