British airline easyJet has revealed plans to launch a new route connecting London Stansted Airport with Paris Charles de Gaulle, with services scheduled to commence in spring 2026. The announcement arrives as the carrier reports stronger-than-anticipated annual profits, largely fuelled by robust consumer demand for its package holidays.
New Route Details and Business Travel Appeal
The new flight path is set to begin operating on 5 March 2026 and will run on Mondays and Fridays throughout the summer season. Seats for the route are already available for purchase.
Kevin Doyle, easyJet's UK Country Manager, commented on the development, stating the route is expected to attract both business and leisure travellers. He emphasised the airline's commitment to providing greater choice and connectivity for customers in the region at competitive fares.
Financial Performance Exceeds Expectations
This route expansion comes on the back of a positive financial report from the airline group. easyJet confirmed it achieved a headline pre-tax profit of £665 million for the year ending 30 September. This represents a 9% increase from the £610 million recorded in the 2023-24 financial year and surpassed analyst forecasts of £650 million.
The standout performer was the company's holidays division. Earnings for this sector surged by 32% to £250 million, allowing the group to hit its earnings target ahead of schedule. As a result, easyJet has set a new, more ambitious goal of £450 million in earnings for its holidays arm by 2029-30.
Challenges and Strategic Adjustments for the Airline
In contrast to the holidays business, the performance of the core airline was more subdued. Annual headline profits for the airline dipped slightly to £415 million from £420 million the previous year. The company acknowledged that improving the airline's performance has been more challenging than previously hoped, particularly during the winter months.
Citing factors such as the pace of route maturity, geopolitical issues, macroeconomic conditions, and competitive pressures, easyJet has decided to moderate its growth plans. The airline has cut its seat capacity growth for the upcoming year to around 7%, down from 9% in 2024-25.
A company statement expressed confidence that these winter actions would drive productivity and prepare the airline for the crucial summer season, which is vital for overall profit growth.
Looking ahead, Chief Executive Kenton Jarvis affirmed his confidence in achieving the group's medium-term goal of delivering more than £1 billion in annual profit before tax. He highlighted the significant progress made since 2023, with a 46% improvement in profit before tax.
