Moscow is the airline’s 100th route operating out of Gatwick Airport and the first time Moscow has been served from Gatwick.

Carolyn McCall, easyJet's ceo, said: "This is a historic day for easyJet, not only are we launching flights between London Gatwick and Moscow but it is also the first day our shares are traded on the FTSE 100. Moscow is a landmark route and one we are delighted to be able to serve.

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EasyJet will also be launching services between Manchester and Moscow on 28 March expecting a further 60,000 passengers a year to use the first-ever direct scheduled link between the two cities.

Rt. Hon Simon Burns MP – Minister of State for Transport, said: "I welcome the launch of these new services between London Gatwick and Moscow. This is a brand new route for easyJet and for Gatwick, and I am certain it will help to deliver tremendous benefits to business and leisure passengers. It also demonstrates the ongoing capability of London's airport network to attract new, direct services with the world's largest markets. We also look forward to easyJet starting their services to Moscow from Manchester later this month."

Stewart Wingate, Gatwick's chief executive officer, said: "We welcome the launch of easyJet’s service to Moscow today, which provides an essential new link to a key emerging market. The decision to award the route to easyJet and Gatwick is particularly significant because it offers passengers greater choice in terms of price, flight times and which airport they fly from. This new link to Russia will also enable businesses in both countries to make the most of the vast opportunities available for bilateral trade and we look forward to working closely with easyJet to ensure the success of the route."

A group of leading independent, British businesses selected by the British Chamber of Commerce, will accompany easyJet’s inaugural flight as part of a trade mission. They will showcase the quality and range of British exports.

The introduction of easyJet flights to Moscow from London and Manchester are expected to boost trading opportunities between the UK and Russia, with low fares opening the market for small and medium enterprises for the first time.

Lord Green Trade and Investment Minister said: "The launch of flights between London Gatwick and Moscow by easyJet is another sign of the strengthening relationship between the UK and Russia. Russia is currently our fastest growing major export market and its recent accession to the World Trade Organisation is making it easier for UK businesses to trade and invest there.

"Improved air links are vital for British exporters looking to expand into Russia. Events such as the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games and the 2018 football World Cup present excellent opportunities for UK businesses."

The fuel savings announced today are to come through a new, lighter seat and lightweight trolleys onboard along with aerodynamic improvements like sharklets (an enlarged wing tip which makes the wing more efficient).

EasyJet's annual fuel bill is around £1.2bn. The annual fuel saving on the 14 aircraft with new seats, combined with the reduction in fuel burn resulting from sharklets on eight planes and lightweight trolleys on all 214 aircraft will be £2.7m. EasyJet passenger's carbon footprint is already 22% less than a passenger on a traditional airline flying on the same route and aircraft.

Speaking from Moscow on the airline's first flight to the Russian capital, Carolyn McCall said: "EasyJet is committed to fuel efficient and environmentally sustainable operations and this was a key driver in the decision on the new Recaro seats along with the comfort of our passengers.

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"Taking smart decisions on the product we put onboard our planes, as well as operating the planes in the most efficient way possible, enables us to realise significant savings which in turn means we can maintain our low fares – even at a time when fuel prices remain at their historic highs."

EasyJet has always scrutinised all aspects of its flying to ensure it operates in the most efficient way. EasyJet's pilots have led the way in devising and implementing fuel saving measures such as one engine taxiing, delayed engine starts, continuous descent approach and minimum use of the Auxiliary Power Unit when on the ground.

Additionally, the enhanced maintenance programme washes the engine's compressors routinely to ensure they operate as efficiently as possible. The net fuel saving is around £1.8m per year.

Last month easyJet announced the start of a twelve month trial of an innovative Zonal Dryer system which will also significantly contribute to reducing the weight of its aircraft. EasyJet has installed CTT Systems of Sweden's light-weight Zonal Drying unit which weighs less than 30kg, to the crown area of three of its A320 aircraft. The unit will reduce weight-increasing moisture by up to 250kg on each flight – the equivalent of 12 hold bags plus the additional benefit of improving air quality for the passenger.

Following a series of improvements made by easyJet over the past six years, the airline already has an industry-leading approach to fuel efficiency operating one of the cleanest, youngest fleets.

New Recaro seats will be fitted onto all new aircraft to be delivered to easyJet. Fourteen aircraft will be delivered between now and the end of next summer, the first of which will enter service in April 2013. Sharklets will be fitted on all new aircraft deliveries from August 2013, with eight being delivered by the end of summer next year. The new lightweight trolleys will be used on all easyJet's 214 aircraft from April 2013 and the new Recaro seats will be fitted onto all new aircraft to be delivered to easyJet.

Carolyn McCall, said: "As well as the fuel savings we really believe that passengers will notice the difference of the new, ergonomically designed seat which provides more space for passengers."

The new seats will be fitted on 14 new aircraft which are due to be delivered from April 2013 onward. The seats are almost 600kg - 26% - per aircraft set lighter than the current seats and even the new seat belts are lighter. The SL3510 seat, ergonomically designed and manufactured by Recaro, optimises a combination of foams to provide the best comfort and support for the passenger. The backrest is at a 15 degree angle for a relaxed seating position and the slimmer backrest provides more space for passengers.

Recaro, based in Germany, is a global supplier of premium aircraft seats. The seats will be manufactured in the company's Polish production facility. The new seats offer greater simplicity with over 100 fewer parts. The new seat cover is grey with orange accents and is complimented by a new carpet onboard and specially designed easyJet orange aisle lighting.

To view an interview with Carolyn McCall, click here .
  

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