EasyJet set to launch Birmingham to Glasgow route

A fares war is set to break out on a UK domestic route of just 260 miles.

From 29 March 2020, easyJet will connect Birmingham airport with Glasgow. The airline will fly 13 times a week, in direct competition with Flybe – which has up to six flights a day each way.

The airline expects to carry 180,000 people in the first year alone, indicating a planned average load of 130 passengers on each flight.

The move poses a major challenge to Flybe. Britain’s biggest regional airline has emerged from severe financial turbulence with new owners – including Virgin Atlantic, which is currently looking to rebrand the carrier. 

On several other domestic routes that do not begin or end in London, such as Bristol to Edinburgh and Newcastle, Flybe has built up a market for air travel only for easyJet to move in and take much of the traffic. 

Even the smallest easyJet aircraft, the Airbus A319, carries twice as many passengers as Flybe’s Q400, giving Britain’s biggest budget airline a significant cost advantage.

In addition, some travellers prefer the extra speed and cabin size of easyJet’s jet aircraft.

But with fewer seats to fill, Flybe can offer more frequent services.

Environmentalists are unimpressed with a new jet link over a relatively short distance with a reasonable rail alternative. 

Anna Hughes, director of Flight Free UK, said: “New domestic routes are a disaster for the environment at a time when we need to be drastically reducing our emissions.

“There are already good rail links between the two cities (not to mention existing flight routes) so this is wholly unneeded.”

She said that the carbon cost of the journey was 38kg CO2 by plane, compared with 6kg by train.

Direct trains from Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central depart every two hours, taking four hours – compared with about 60 minutes for the flight.

The route is currently operated by Virgin Trains, but by the time easyJet starts it will be taken over by First Trenitalia, which has picked up the franchise currently occupied by Sir Richard Branson’s company.

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK country manager, said: “We’re delighted to announce a new route from Birmingham to Glasgow providing even more great value and convenient domestic connectivity for our customers.

“The connection of two major UK cities is great for the Midlands region and the positive benefits it will bring in supporting the UK economy.

“This news underlines easyJet’s continued commitment to our passengers and supports our ambition of always providing a great service and low fares – and we are sure the route will be a success.”

Nick Barton, chief executive of Birmingham airport, said: “This announcement is great news for travellers as it gives more capacity and choice between Birmingham and the popular city of Glasgow.”

A spokesperson for Flybe said: “Flybe is proud of its established position as the largest scheduled airline by the number of air traffic movements at both Birmingham and Glasgow airports.

“We continue to offer customers a multi-frequency, conveniently timed schedule throughout the day with a choice of up to 50 flights every week on this popular route.”

The easyJet flights are not yet on sale, so cannot yet be compared with Flybe’s typical lowest fare of £29 one-way. Booking two months ahead, train tickets cost as little as £25 each way.