EasyJet Europe (Austria) has received it's first A320, transferred from the UK. With uncertainty created by #brexit, the company has decided to create a European based subsidiary in order to protect it's rights to fly within EU countries, a substantial part of it's business. The airline has selected Austria for it's EU base, with up to 110 A320s to be transferred and in service by March 2019, when the UK is scheduled to leave the EU.
Airbus A320-214 MSN 6970 EasyJet G-EZPA - now registered OE-IVA
EasyJet, based at Luton, UK, while a major player at it's original base, also conducts a significant flight operation out of London-Gatwick (and other UK airports - such as Manchester) where it has become the dominant operator. Securing it's ability to continue services within the EU (that is flights that depart and land in countries other than the UK) is vital to the company.
EasyJet commenced operations in 1995 with two wet leased 737-200s, and it's growth since then has been spectacular. The airline chose the classic LCC model of operating a single type fleet of 737s, but later switched to an all Airbus A320 family operation.
EasyJet fleet summary (as of July 15th 2008 and 2017, including EasyJet Switzerland)
2008
30 x 737-700
117 x A319
9 x A320
8 x A321
Total: 164
2017
143 x A319
132 x A320
Total: 439
