A BRAND new aircraft is opening up the Canary Islands to EasyJet passengers at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Unveiled yesterday, the Airbus 320 is larger than the current Boeing 737s and Airbus 319s in the fleet, and with a longer range allows the addition of medium-haul destinations Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

The new aircraft seats 180 passengers, as opposed to the 737’s 149 and the Airbus 319’s 156.

Robin Tudor, head of PR at Peel Airports Group, said: “Easyjet has been an important part of our success over recent years and will continue to be so in the future. The new aircraft highlights the continuing importance placed on the Liverpool operation and the confidence that they have in us, despite the tough economic conditions.

“The growing fleet at Liverpool will give our passengers extra frequencies to the ever popular destinations that they serve.”

Trevor Spinks, Easyjet’s UK commercial manager, said: “The introduction of this new, bigger aircraft and new routes to the Canary Islands reflect our continued commitment to the 22.5m customers who have flown with us over the past 12 years.”