Aer Lingus shrugs off EasyJet Gatwick attack
Aer Lingus has described EasyJet’s move to compete on three routes being set up by the Irish carrier from Gatwick as a “panic” reaction.
Corporate affairs director Enda Corneille said Aer Lingus had big plans for Gatwick in addition to the network of new European routes being established from April.
Responding to EasyJet’s move to go head-to-head on three of its new routes (see previous TravelMole story), he said: "This is clearly a sign of panic from Easyjet, which is obviously rattled by the Aer Lingus announcement of new European services from Gatwick commencing on April 6.
“EasyJet have been asleep at the wheel in the own backyard for some time now and their rushed announcement today is just what you’d expect from a carrier that’s grown complacent over time."
Corneille added: "We welcome the competition because at the end of the day our customers will be the winners. They’ll be able to fly to Munich, Vienna and Zurich with Aer Lingus in the knowledge that they will get a better price at a far better departure time and enjoy a more superior onboard experience.”
He revealed that 75,000 seats have already been sold on the new Gatwick network before the first flights depart Gatwick to Malaga in April.
"We’ve got big plans for Gatwick and, with further route announcements imminent; we would not be surprised to see more copy-cat activity from our competitors," added Corneille.
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025