Mon, 10 Nov 2025

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 Named on a napkin: EasyJet celebrates 30 years

We take a look at the history and impact of the budget airline based at Luton Airport.

* EasyJet celebrates its 30th anniversary since its first flight from Luton Airport to Glasgow on November 10, 1995.
* The airline has grown significantly since its inception, with a current fleet of 356 aircraft and over 1,200 routes.
* Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the founder of EasyJet, attributes the airline's success to its low-cost model and clever marketing strategies, including the ITV series "Airline".
* The rise of budget airlines like EasyJet has made air travel more accessible and affordable for millions of people.
* However, critics argue that mass aviation has contributed significantly to climate change, with EasyJet emitting over 8 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2024.
* EasyJet has launched a plan to reach net zero by 2050, but critics say it relies too heavily on unproven technologies and planned passenger growth will cancel out any success.
* Former EasyJet pilot George Hibberd advocates for a frequent flier levy and temporarily reducing the amount of flying to mitigate climate change.
* EasyJet's chief operating officer Captain David Morgan says the airline is committed to sustainability and has invested in efficient planes and sustainable aviation fuel.
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