The investment will create around 100 direct jobs for pilots and crew in the UK and support around 1,200 jobs in total. The airline will base three 186-seat A320 aircraft at the airport.

The move comes following the carrier’s return to growth this summer, which will see the brand operate its biggest ever UK summer flying programme, with around 8% more capacity than pre-pandemic, more than 1 million more seats and 57 new routes – including 23 from the UK. 

The addition of more aircraft at Birmingham will enable the airline to further expand its network from the city with new routes.

Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet, said: "We are delighted to be announcing our new base in Birmingham, the UK’s second largest city, which creates around 100 direct and many more indirect jobs.

"Having already served Birmingham for many years, the decision to open a base and grow at the airport now is testament to the strong demand we see, coupled with the importance of the UK market in supporting our profitable growth."

New research commissioned by the airline revealed travel is the "number one priority" for UK consumers, as clients place more value on travel post-pandemic.

With their holiday budget the highest priority after household bills, nearly 60% of Brits (57%) are saving on takeaways (45%), meals out (42%) and clothing (30%) to protect their summer holiday and are shifting toward more budget friendly airlines.