Data released to mark easyJet’s 30th anniversary reveals the airline & holiday provider’s staggering economic footprint. In its last financial year alone, easyJet contributed £21 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy and supported 243,600 jobs. For policymakers and business leaders, the message is clear: the low-cost model isn't just moving people; it's moving the needle on national GDP.

View The easyJet Effect report

The Multiplier Effect: Turning £1 into £3.86

The most critical metric for economists in the new report is the "multiplier effect." Aviation is rarely a closed loop; it feeds hospitality, tourism, manufacturing, and local services. According to the data, for every £1 in GVA that easyJet’s direct operations generate, £3.86 is supported across the broader UK economy. This cascade effect works through three distinct channels:

1. Direct Impact: The immediate value of employing 12,000 staff, including 2,700 pilots and 5,500 cabin crew.

2. Indirect Impact: The supply chain spend, most notably the multi-billion-pound investment in Airbus aircraft, where wings are designed in Filton (Bristol) and manufactured in Broughton (Wales).

3. Induced Impact: The spending power of employees and the tourism spend of the 15 million visitors easyJet flies into the UK annually.

Beyond London: A truly National Airline

Unlike many FTSE 100 giants that remain London-centric, the "easyJet Effect" is distributed across the UK's regions.

• 96% Coverage: easyJet employs staff living in 96% of all UK parliamentary constituencies (625 out of 650).

• Northern Powerhouse: Significant operational bases in Manchester, Liverpool, and Newcastle have driven a 183% increase in connectivity for the North-West since 1995.

• Scottish Growth: Passenger volumes in Scotland have grown by 404% in the last 30 years, supported by over 700 staff living north of the border.

Data Snapshot: The Regional Footprint

data from The easyJet Effect Report

Supporting UK Manufacturing

The airline’s economic contribution extends deep into the UK’s industrial base. easyJet operates a fleet of over 350 Airbus A320 family aircraft.

Since 2003, easyJet’s investment in this fleet has supported £13.3 billion in GVA specifically linked to UK manufacturing. With a confirmed order for a further 290 Airbus NEO aircraft to be delivered up to 2034, this pipeline guarantees high-skilled engineering jobs in Bristol and Wales for the next decade.

The Visitor Economy Engine

Perhaps the most visible economic contribution is the sheer volume of inbound tourism. Last year, easyJet brought 15 million tourists to UK shores—both international arrivals and domestic travelers.

These visitors spent £9.7 billion in British hotels, restaurants, and shops. Crucially, 58% of these inbound passengers landed outside of London, dispersing vital tourism revenue to regional economies that often struggle to attract international spend.

Conclusion

As easyJet enters its 30th year, the "easyJet Effect" has evolved. What started as a challenger brand disrupting the status quo has matured into a critical infrastructure asset.

With a contribution equivalent to £300 in GVA for every UK resident, the airline has proven that affordable travel is not a luxury for the few, but a fundamental driver of economic prosperity for the many.