John

March 1995
easyJet incorporated to offer low-cost scheduled air services within Europe.October 1995
The first booking taken on 23 October, as the easyJet telephone reservation centre opens at easyLand, the home of easyJet at London Luton Airport.
November 1995
Inaugural flights from London Luton to Edinburgh and Glasgow, supported by advertising campaign "Making flying as affordable as a pair of jeans - £29 one way". At this time, the airline had two leased Boeing 737-200 aircraft and essentially acted as a 'virtual airline' which contracted in everything from pilots to check-in staff.
April 1996
easyJet takes delivery of its first wholly-owned aircraft (the previous two had been leased) and goes international with first services to Amsterdam from London Luton.
April 1997
easyJet launches its website, easyJet.com to provide information on the airline - but first online bookings are not taken for another year.
September 1997
easyJet places an order for 12 brand new Boeing 737-300s for delivery by 2000.
October 1997
The airline is awarded its own Air Operating Certificate. This meant easyJet was recognised as a financially viable airline. Previously we had operated under the AOC of Air Foyle and GB Airways.

In this month easyJet also launches it second UK base at Liverpool Airport reflecting the airline’s commitment to providing low cost services from across the UK.
March 1998
easyJet buys 40% of a Swiss charter operation, TEA Basel AG, based in Basle for a consideration of three million Swiss francs. This airline was later renamed 'easyJet Switzerland' and moved to Geneva where the first European base was opened.
April 1998
easyJet sells its first seat online at easyJet.com - telephone sales continue.
July 1998
easyJet orders 15 brand-new Boeing Next Generation 737-700 aircraft with a list price in excess of $500 million. The first aircraft was delivered on 13 October 2000 in Seattle.

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John

January 1999
First "Airline" series is transmitted on ITV, giving a "warts and all" account of life for passengers and staff at easyJet.
April 1999
TEA changes its name to easyJet Switzerland and moves to Geneva, which becomes the third base airport for the airline.
June 1999
easyJet increases stake in easyJet Switzerland to 49% and acquires an option over the remaining 51%.
July 1999
easyJet Switzerland inaugurates services from Geneva to Nice, Amsterdam and Barcelona (the first easyJet services wholly outside the UK). But easyJet claims Swissair uses its political influence to force the Swiss government to prevent easyJet from operating a scheduled service between Geneva and Barcelona in order to protect its position on the route (this kind of behaviour has been illegal within the European Union since 1993). easyJet gets around the restrictions by flying its first planeload of passengers for free then setting up an inclusive tour company called 'easyJet Tours' from Geneva to operate the service. Swissair is unable to object to this charter service, but easyJet must provide transport from the airport and accommodation - a tent some 60 miles outside Barcelona. To date only a handful of people have stayed in the tent and it remains a ludicrous symbol of Swissair's futile attempts to block fair competition.
September 1999
A new series of ITV's "Airline" program starts, attracting around 9 million viewers each episode. It becomes ITV's premier 'docu-soap'.

Debonair, the Luton-based low-cost airline, stops trading. Stelios remarks that British Airways has 'blood on its hands'.
October 1999
easyJet seat sales over the Internet pass the one million mark (the first was sold online in April 1998). Stelios is voted London Entrepreneur of the Year at the London Electricity Londoner of the Year Awards. easyJet voted "Best Low Cost Airline" by readers of Business Traveller magazine for the first time.
November 1999
easyJet selected as a Business Superbrand by the Superbrand Council which recognises companies with an outstanding brand name. Other Superbrand companies include such globally-recognised names as Virgin, Coca-Cola and Manchester United.
December 1999
Marketing magazine describes the launch of easyJet as "one of the 100 great marketing moments of the 20th century".
January 2000
easyJet launches campaign against Government's proposed changes to Air Passenger Duty - a stealth tax on airline passengers introduced by the Tories in 1994. KLM rebrands KLM-uk as low-cost airline Buzz.
March 2000
easyJet increases online discount to £2.50 for a single trip - a higher level of permanent discount than any other airline. easyJet sells 2 million seats online demonstrating the huge growth of online sales. Changes to Air Passenger Duty announced by the Chancellor in his Budget are favourable to easyJet. For the first time, the Treasury recognised that air tax, like almost other taxes, should be related to the ability to pay - the central point of the easyJet argument. Firm order placed with Boeing for a further 17 brand-new 737-700s, taking fleet size up to 44 aircraft by 2004.

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John

April 2000
New online booking policy is introduced, so that seats booked more than two months in advance of the departure date of the flight can only be purchased online. easyJet launches campaign to stop Barclays ripping-off easyJet customers by increasing landing fees to easyJet by 300%. As part of the campaign, the airline calls for John Prescott to regulate the Barclays-run Luton Airport in the same way as other London airports. easyJet is the first low-cost airline to launch a flight arrivals information service on its web site.
May 2000
Swiss people vote for Switzerland to enter the single European aviation market, paving the way for lower fares. easyJet had supported a 'yes' vote with heavy advertising.
June 2000
Stelios cuts up his own Barclaycard, and leads protest outside Luton branch of Barclays Bank, as easyJet campaigns to stop the Bank ripping off easyJet passengers. 3 million seats sold online. easyJet reaches a milestone in its development as it carries its 10 millionth passenger. 4th series of ITV's "Airline" programme starts. Every Friday night some 40% of the viewing public tune-in to watch the new series - which attracts twice as many viewers as the new series of Friends!
September 2000
easyJet airline's application to have Luton Airport designated as a regulated airport is rejected by the government which argues that this is not a 'proportionate' response. This does not infer that the government sides with Luton Airport and, in fact, suggests other avenues of appeal for easyJet. easyJet sells its 4th million seats online and in a single week Internet sales reach 85% of total sales.
November 2000
British Airways announces that it is to sell its low-cost subsidiary, Go, the day before announcing losses for the year to end-March 2000 of £21.8 million. easyJet shares formally admitted to the London Stock Exchange at an offer price of 310p.
December 2000
easyJet web site launched in Spanish. Stelios enters the Guiness Book of Records by establishing himself as the world's youngest international scheduled airline chairman when he launched easyJet in 1995 aged 28
March 2001
easyJet excels in Consumers Association survey, being the only low-cost airline to be ranked in the first division of a customer satisfaction table in a Holiday Which? survey. The fifth series of LWT's Airline commences, with impressive viewing figures as around 9 million people watch each episode. easyJet starts operating scheduled flights on its Geneva-Barcelona route as the ailing Swissair abandons its services on this route.
April 2001
Changes to Air Passenger Duty (APD) came into effect, reducing taxes on a flight within Europe to £5. easyJet had successfully lobbied the UK government to make these changes to APD.
June 2001
easyJet is named as 2nd largest UK travel site in a report published by leading online research experts, Jupiter MMXI.
July 2001
Following the popularity of the fifth series of LWT's "Airline", another new series is announced.

easyJet reaches a new milestone in online sales by selling ten million seats through its web site.
October 2001
easyJet announces maiden set of full year results as a PLC, with pre-tax profits up by 81% to £40 million. easyJet announces launch of London Gatwick to Barcelona route
December 2001
easyJet establishes London Gatwick as its fifth base and becomes the second largest scheduled airline at the airport.

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John

May 2002 easyJet announces intention to purchase Go. easyJet announces intention to purchase option to acquire Deutsche BA.
August 2002
easyJet and Go complete merger deal to create Europe's number one low-cost airline.
October 2002
easyJet announces decision to appoint Airbus as its preferred aircraft supplier, subject to shareholder approval.
November 2002
Stelios stands down as Chairman of easyJet and Sir Colin Chandler takes over the position.
December 2002
easyJet achieves two important milestones in merger with Go by announcing a single Air Operator Certificate (AOC), and launch of a unified sales channel.
30 March 2003
The combined airlines fly under the easyJet brand for the first time. All cabin crew wear the orange uniform, the onboard easyKiosk is rolled-out across the whole network, and the programme to re-paint all old Go aircraft is completed.
July 2003
easyJet launches pioneering online technology which allows customers to view and change their bookings online.
October 2003
The first Airbus A319 goes into service in Geneva. This forms part of an order of 120 aircraft to be delivered over the next four years.
November 2003
easyJet announces new base at Berlin Schönefeld, dramatically expanding the existing network with the addition of 11 new routes.
February 2004
easyJet announces new base at Dortmund, increasing the existing network with eight routes.
May 2004
Stelios Haji-Ioannou, easyJet’s charismatic former chairman and founder, is welcomed into the UK Travel and Hospitality Hall of Fame.
28 May 2004
easyJet makes history by checking in an entire flight through the new, ground-breaking self-check-in kiosks at Nottingham East Midlands airport.
5 July 2004
easyJet introduces Europe’s most generous hand baggage allowance by removing the 5 kg weight restriction.
14 December 2004
Hotelopia and easyJet team up to launch exclusive accommodation products and services as easyJetHotels.
20 January 2005
EuroAirport-Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is announced as the airline’s next base, and an additional three Airbus A319s will be based here, creating job opportunities in the area and substantial economic benefit for the local community.
18 April 2005
The airline’s base at Berlin Schoenefeld celebrates the arrival of easyJet’s 100th aircraft which will be based here at the airline’s most rapidly expanding base in the last 12 months.
16 May 2005
easyJet introduces a new group bookings facility, making the booking process even easier. It is now possible to book up to 40 passengers in one booking and transaction.
16 May 2005
easyJet plc announces that Ray Webster, the Chief Executive of the Company, will be stepping down as Chief Executive, after almost ten years. Ray has decided that this is the appropriate point in time for the Company to identify and appoint a successor. This will enable him to effect an orderly handover, complete certain strategic assignments and relinquish his executive duties. On the appointment of his successor, Ray will resign from the Board and, up until 30 November 2006, will report to the Chairman, carrying out specified tasks for the Company, which will draw on his expertise and skills.

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John

18 May 2005
easyJet welcomes its 100 millionth passenger.
1 June 2005
Gatwcik becomes the airline’s biggest base with the arrival of the 16th aircraft, a brand new Airbus A319. easyJet now offers flight to 29 destinations from London Gatwick.
6 June 2005
In a bid to further improve its offering to business travellers, easyJet and ServisAir introduce easyJetLounges, offering complimentary beers, wines and spirits, beverages, snacks, comfortable seating and access to business facilities at very competitive prices.
17 August 2005
easyJet signs $1bn ten-year Airbus maintenance contract with SR Technics. The agreement is one of the largest contracts ever awarded by an airline for maintenance of a single aircraft type.
1 September 2005
Andrew Harrison is announced to have been selected as Chief Executive of the company, following the announcement on 16 May that Ray Webster would be retiring. Andrew, who was previously the Chief Executive of RAC plc prior to its acquisition by Aviva plc earlier this year, will be taking up his new post on 1 December 2005.
1 October 2005
easyJet joins the European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA) ELFAA was established in late 2003 as the voice of Europe’s low fare airlines - a new breed of fast-growing airlines with distinct business models that could not be represented by the long-established associations of the traditional flag carrier and charter airlines. The association, which is non-profit making, tackles various issues of joint interest and protects the needs of low fare airlines and their customers.
21 September 2005
easyJet announces that it has given a four-year contract for the handling of its aircraft and passengers at Geneva Airport to Swissport. The four-year contract comes into effect on December 1st 2005. Swissport will handle around 250 flights each week for easyJet. Swissport will also acquire all easyJet assets at Geneva and retain its processes and systems.
5 October 2005
easyJet and Europcar introduce the opportunity to purchase car rental at the same time as flight bookings through ‘dynamic packaging’. Following a successful trial on the airline's English language site, easyJet customers across Europe now have the option to buy their flight and car rental in one transaction, with one simple payment. easyJet has already been offering "dynamically packaged" travel insurance to its UK market since March 2005. However, including car rental in the booking transaction is a new concept to low-cost travel as it not only simplifies the booking process but also ensures the customer is covered under the "Package Travel Regulations".
12 October 2005
easyJet announces a new base at Milan's Malpensa Airport. Malpensa will be the airline's 16th base in Europe and first in Italy.
10 November 2005
Happy birthday, easyJet! The airline celebrates its 10th anniversary on Thursday 10 November 2005.
5 December 2005
Recently retired easyJet Chief Executive Ray Webster enters the Hall of Fame at the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), receiving the 'Legends Award'.
23 February 2006
easyJet becomes the first major low-cost airline to roll-out internet check-in for its UK passengers and is offering a 15-minute gate arrival time for those travelling only with hand baggage.
1 March 2006
easyJet announces massive expansion to new markets outside the EU to Marrakech, Istanbul, and Rijeka.
24 May 2006
Europe’s leading low-fares airline announces the appointment of Ogilvy UK as the airline’s first Pan-European advertising creative agency.
21 June 2006
easyJet celebrates 16 million passengers at Belfast International Airport.
24 August 2006
easyJet announces the launch of a new base at Madrid’s Barajas airport.
10 October 2006
The airline welcomes its 10 millionth passenger at Glasgow International Airport.
1 November 2006
easyJet celebrates 15 million passengers at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
8 November 2006
easyJet, Europe’s leading low-fares airline, has renewed its contract with worldwide leader in travel insurance services, Mondial Assistance, to provide online travel insurance to its customers. The new three year pan-European deal cements the strong partnership forged between the two companies since Mondial Assistance first started to provide travel insurance to easyJet’s customers via a white label internet solution in 2002.
28 November 2006
easyJet introduces a new facility that will give passengers greater choice over their seating arrangements onboard the aircraft. ‘Speedy Boarding’ gives passengers the opportunity to be amongst the first to board and have the greatest choice of seats, ahead of the regular boarding groups.
8 December 2006
Following the UK Government’s intention to double Air Passenger Duty from 1 February 2007, easyJet writes to HM Treasury urging Gordon Brown to clarify the tax rules for those passengers who have already purchased flights for travel after 1 February 2007. However millions of air travelers fall in to the Government’s tax trap when it is announced the Tax will be charged retrospectively.
20 December 2006
easyJet announces a new uniform “Formal and Fabulous” after an internal cabin crew competition, designed by Anne Marie Cuffe from Liverpool and Joanne Todd and Kurt Wilson from London Gatwick.
30 January 2007
easyJet, Europe’s leading low-fares airline, and Microsoft launch the pioneering “easyJet desk top gadget.” The two leading technological innovators have teamed up for the development of the new Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office System to create a range of desktop "gadgets" and web services to ensure travel is seamless from desk top to touch down. The "easyJet desk top gadget" enables customers to personalise flight information and booking services using the Microsoft Vista technology.
1 February 2007
To highlight the airline’s disappointment at the unprecedented retrospectively charging of the increase in Air Passenger Duty, management across the airline’s UK bases dress as tax collectors to highlight to customers that it is the Government that is requesting this additional tax payment. And that this tax that has been dressed up as an environmental tax will do nothing to deal with the environmental issues it claims.

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John

Full information about the airline can be found at easyJet.com – book cheap flights, hotels, car hire for low cost travel

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