EasyJet says Venice will remain part of its network.
EasyJet is restructuring its operations in Italy as it awaits a decision on whether it will be selected as one of the remedy-takers in the Lufthansa-ITA Airways deal.
The airline plans to close its base at Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) from April 2025, relocating the three aircraft stationed there to other airports. However, Venice will remain part of its network, with continued service to “major European destinations, including Berlin, London and Paris.”
EasyJet says employment levels in Italy will be maintained, with Venice-based pilots and cabin crew offered transfers to other Italian bases.
The UK-based carrier adds that the closure will enable it to grow at Milan Malpensa Airport, where it currently ranks as the largest operator by capacity with a 28% share of the market. It also plans to continue its expansion at Naples Airport, where an eighth aircraft joined the based fleet earlier in summer 2024.
“EasyJet is continuing to grow in Italy and continues to invest in Lombardy, in Campania and in the other Italian destinations where we see an opportunity to increase flights, in line with our strategy of connecting primary airports across Europe,” easyJet Italy country manager Lorenzo Lagorio says.
Additionally, the airline confirmed that it plans to open bases at Milan Linate Airport (LIN) and Rome Fiumicino Airport during the summer 2025 season should it be selected as a remedy-taker as part of the Lufthansa-ITA deal.
The European Commission gave the green light to Lufthansa’s 41% acquisition of Italy’s flag carrier ITA in July, subject to a series of conditions. These include ITA relinquishing slots at LIN that will allow a remedy-taker to establish “a sustainable base” at the airport.
EasyJet says that the relocation of the three aircraft based at VCE will depend on the outcome of the Lufthansa-ITA remedies.
EasyJet currently serves one domestic and 13 international destinations from VCE, offering about 19,400 weekly departure seats. OAG Schedules Analyser data shows it is the second-largest operator from the airport, with a 12.3% capacity share of the market. Ryanair is the largest, with a 22.8% share.
EasyJet’s decision to close its Venice base follows the airline’s announcement that it will also shut its base at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) in southern France next spring. The two aircraft currently stationed at TLS will be moved to Nantes and Lyon.
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