easyJet have anounced that it will open its 23rd base in Lisbon, with destinations appealing to both to business and leisure passengers. The initial operations will commence with five new services, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Bordeaux and Venice and a brand new destination – Asturias, in addition to its 16 existing routes.

Travellers will now have a wider range of choices, with 21 routes from Lisbon and over 150 flights per week during the peak season.

Initially easyJet expects to carry 225,000 additional passengers in the first year, with an additional two A319 aircraft that will be permanently based in Lisbon.

As part of its commitment to establish a base in Lisbon, easyJet will be recruiting around 100 employees for the base, the majority of which will be cabin crew and pilots. These additional flights will create further indirect jobs in various areas, from ground handling at the airport to the tourism industry.

The base will officially open on 19 April 2012, and seats for the new routes will go on sale at easyJet.com on 10 November 2011