Tunisia buoyed by easyJet return ahead of trade push

The budget carrier pulled its Tunisia programme after 30 British tourists were gunned down on a beach near Sousse in June 2015.

However, easyJet last week announced twice-weekly scheduled flights to Enfidha would get under way on 2 May 2020 flying from Gatwick on Wednesdays and Saturdays, utilising the Cook slots it acquired last month.

Wahida Jaiet, director UK and Ireland at the Tunisian National Tourist Office (TNTO), told TTG easyJet’s return to Tunisia was agreed following a meeting at WTM London (4-6 November), adding TNTO would embark on an “aggressive” trade marketing campaign next year to ensure flights are full.

“It’s very good news,” said Jaiet. “Thomas Cook has left a lot of empty space – it was the bulk of our charter activity. EasyJet was aware of that and I was aware I had to fill the gap. It’s all part of our strategy to catch up with Cook’s collapse.”