EasyJet formally opened its base at Naples, marking the low-cost carrier's third in Italy.

The low-cost carrier is basing a pair of Airbus narrowbodies at the southern Italian airport. EasyJet is already the biggest operator at Naples and the addition of six new routes this spring take to 21 the number of destination it now serves from Naples.

"Italy is a key market for EasyJet. We continue to invest in Italy. We'll carry nearly 14 million passengers on Italian routes this year," said EasyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall at a press conference in Naples today to mark the new base.

She cites the carriers established Italian bases at Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino and points to further expansion in southern Italy. "We are developing in the south, expanding in Catania and launching here in Naples. We have a 28% market share at Naples and carried 1.6 million passengers in the last 12 months. And we will carry 2 million passengers in the first year here."

McCall points to the 2.5 million business passenger that travel from Naples annually. "It is one of the most attractive European destinations for business and leisure," she says.

Source: Cirium Dashboard