Low-cost airline easyJet has launched its largest-ever flight schedule from Bristol Airport after adding another aircraft to its fleet based there.
The airline, already the largest operator from Bristol, now has 18 aircraft based permanently at the airport serving 72 routes in 26 countries. 
Later this month easyJet will launch flights for the first time to Tivat in Montenegro, operating twice a week on Mondays and Fridays during peak summer.
The new route follows another recently launched to the Greek island of Skiathos, which started on 1 May and is now operating twice a week – on Wednesdays and Sundays – throughout the summer
In total this summer, easyJet – which accounts for roughly half of all flights from Bristol – will have 4.7m seats available on flights to and from the airport.
The airline began services from Bristol in May 2001 – six years after its launch by entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Ioannou – initially flying to Palma, Faro and Nice – and has since flown around 73m passengers to or from the airport.
EasyJet, which operates an all-Airbus fleet, said its new 186-seat A320neo (new engine option) aircraft, pictured, at Bristol would bring environmental and operational efficiencies compared to its current generation of aircraft, resulting in at least 15% less CO2 emissions and 50% less noise during take-off and landing. 
The A320neo aircraft family, featuring fuel-efficient wingtip ‘sharklets’, has become the workhorse of the budget airline sector, along with Boeing’s 737-MAX 8200, which is used by rival Ryanair.
The new aircraft will join seven A320neos and two larger 235-seat A321neos at Bristol with the rest of the fleet made up of conventional A320s.
EasyJet UK country manager Ali Gayward said: “We are delighted to have welcomed an 18th aircraft to our fleet in Bristol and launch new summer routes to Skiathos and Tivat in time for what is set to be our biggest-ever summer in Bristol.
“We are proud to be the largest airline in Bristol This is a testament to our continued success and commitment to our customers in the South West who continue to choose us for our unrivalled network, fantastic service and great value fares.”
EasyJet operates 24 A320neo family aircraft within its 318-strong fleet and has a further 150-plus on order from Airbus.
The airline, quoting an independent assessment commissioned by Airlines UK, said each of its UK-based aircraft directly supports 400 jobs and contributes £27m to the economy through direct, indirect and induced impacts.
