<P> EasyJet has seen expansion since its establishment in 1995, having grown through a combination of acquisitions and base openings fuelled by consumer demand for low - cost air travel . The airline, along with associate companies easyJet Europe and easyJet Switzerland, operate more than 200 aircraft, mostly Airbus A319 . It has 28 bases across Europe, the largest being Gatwick . In 2014 the airline carried more than 65 million passengers, making it the second - largest airline in Europe by number of passengers carried, behind Ryanair . </P> <P> EasyJet was featured in the television series Airline broadcast on ITV which followed the airline's operations at London Luton and later at other bases . Its pilot training scheme was the subject of another ITV television series, easyJet: Inside the Cockpit, which premiered in August 2017 . </P> <P> The airline was established in 1995, the first company in what would later become the easyGroup conglomerate . It was launched by Greek Cypriot businessman Stelios Haji - Ioannou with two wet leased Boeing 737 - 200 aircraft, initially operating two routes: London Luton Airport to Glasgow and Edinburgh . In April 1996, the first wholly owned aircraft was delivered to the airline, enabling its first international route, to Amsterdam . Until October 1997, the aircraft were operated by GB Airways and subsequently by Air Foyle, as easyJet had not yet received its Air Operator's Certificate . </P> <P> EasyJet was floated on the London Stock Exchange on 5 November 2000 . In October 2004 the FL Group, owner of the airlines Icelandair and Sterling, purchased an 8.4% stake in the airline . Over the course of 2005, FL increased its share in the company periodically to 16.9%, fuelling speculation that it would mount a takeover bid for the UK carrier . However, in April 2006 the threat of takeover receded as FL sold its stake for € 325 million, securing a profit of € 140m on its investment . </P>

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