Easyjet to run Jersey to London Gatwick route

The airline will use its Airbus A319 planes to fly the three daily returns flights

Easyjet has announced it will run a Jersey to Gatwick service when Flybe pulls out of the route next year.

Flybe will end its services from Gatwick Airport in March after agreeing to sell 25 slots at the airport to the budget airline.

Easyjet already operates from Jersey to Liverpool, Glasgow and London Southend as well as a summer service to Newcastle.

It will run three daily return flights, one fewer than Flybe offers.

The service, which will be operated by the 156-seater Airbus A319, is due to run from 30 March 2014, with tickets on sale from next month.

Ali Gayward, UK commercial manager for Easyjet, said the schedule allowed business travellers to fly in and out on the same day and they would be introducing some low cost seats in a bid to boost tourism.

Senator Alan Maclean, Economic Development Minister, said: "The airline has the capability of delivering in excess of a quarter of a million passengers per year on the Gatwick route alone, which will be of great benefit to the vitally important tourism and business economy."