easyJet, the UK’s largest and one of Europe’s leading airlines, is today launching a dedicated Chinese homepage in response to the growing number of Chinese customers flying with the airline and booking through easyJet.com.

Customers using the new Chinese homepage will benefit from content translated into simplified Chinese with information about flying with easyJet. The site will also have the popular ‘Inspire Me’ tool which helps customers find the lowest fares to a wide range of destinations and customers will be able to connect to a Chinese version of Booking.com’s website, easyJet’s hotel partner. Customers will also be able to book their flights in any of the nine currencies available.

easyJet’s current bookings show that Paris is the most popular European destination closely followed by Milan, Rome, Nice, Barcelona, London, Edinburgh and Belfast.

Carolyn McCall, easyJet’s Chief Executive, commented:

“This year easyJet has seen a 25% increase in bookings from China versus 2012. Along with the other BRIC economies, the demand from Chinese customers is predicted to continue to grow over the coming years which means that, with a dedicated homepage, easyJet is ideally positioned to capture more of the market of the millions of Chinese who are travelling to and within Europe every year.

“Our aim is to make the online customer experience as easy as possible and national homepages help alongside innovative ways like easyJet’s ‘Inspire Me’ tool to find the best flights.

“I am delighted to also announce that easyJet is signing up to VisitBritain’s China Welcome Charter, the aim of which is for businesses in the UK to ensure that by 2015 the UK is the most welcoming destination in Europe.”

The Rt Hon David Cameron, Prime Minister, said:

“As we compete in the global race, I welcome easyJet’s move to launch a dedicated Chinese homepage and their commitment to VisitBritain’s China Welcome Charter, all of which underlines that Britain is open for business.

“This Government's priority is to secure the economic recovery and we are determined to do all we can to help British companies to succeed. I am firmly committed to playing my part which is why I have taken more than 130 business delegates to China. My aim is to open the door for them in this fast-growing market, creating opportunities for them to expand their business.""

The Rt Hon Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture and Tourism added:

“We are doing all we can to make it easier for Chinese businesses and tourists to come to Britain and enjoy the best our country has to offer – from our galleries and museums to our stunning countryside and fantastic shopping. easyJet’s move to launch a dedicated Chinese homepage will help that and their commitment to VisitBritain’s China Welcome Charter supports our clear message that Britain is open for business.”

Sandie Dawe, VisitBritain’s Chief Executive added:

“easyJet, one of our founding GREAT partners, is the perfect addition to our China Welcome initiative, that will change the way Chinese visitors experience Britain. We want to make sure Britain competes effectively for this market, helping the industry to develop products that appeal to Chinese visitors and making sure that the message of the GREAT British welcome is widely promoted.”

China is not the only non-European country where easyJet is welcoming new customers. easyJet takes hundreds of thousands of new bookings from countries outside of Europe each year as the news of our friendly service and affordable fares continues to spread globally.

Having already launched US, Russian and Brazilian homepages, www.easyjet.com/cn will be the 22nd homepage to be added to easyJet.com and the third BRIC country homepage.

For further information please contact the easyJet Press Office on 01582 525252 or log onto www.easyjet.com

About easyJet:

easyJet operates Europe's No. 1 air transport network with a leading presence on Europe's top 100 routes and at Europe's 50 largest airports.

easyJet flies over 200 aircraft on more than 600 routes between over 130 airports in 30 countries. More than 300 million Europeans live within one hour's drive of an easyJet airport, more than any other airline.

The airline takes sustainability seriously. easyJet invests in the latest technology, operates efficiently and fills most of its seats which means that an easyJet passenger's carbon footprint is 22% less than a passenger on a traditional airline, flying the same aircraft on the same route.