British firm Easyjet announced on Tuesday that they are launching a new wave of expansion in Eastern Europe. Six new routes are planned, including more flights to Budapest as well as the airline's first connections with the Polish cities of Warsaw and Cracow. If all goes according to plan, travellers will be able to fly from London to Cracow as of 31st October 2004.
The company's press release declares that single fares will start from 'an amazing 19 Euros', whilst a gargantuan advertising campaign is in the pipeline to help launch the new service.
Roy Webster, the Chief Executive of EasyJet enthuses:
"It was only two months ago that we started services to Budapest and Ljubljana. We are now ready to continue what we started and commence services on a much bigger scale. New services from Cracow and Warsaw show we're very serious about expanding in the region and those loyal travellers that have already got used to easyJet's low fares, great service and great punctuality will be delighted to know that this is just the beginning. There is more to come!"
For many, a no-frills service to Cracow has been long overdue, and the news will be a cause for celebration.
Nevertheless, the news will not be embraced unreservedly. Some are concerned that Cracow might fall victim to the kind of 'Amsterdam of the East' treatment that has befallen cities such as Prague and Riga. British companies such as PraguePissup.com are noted with trepidation by Cracovians and expats. For young bachelors, a stag weekend in a beautiful, inexpensive Eastern European city is a highly entertaining prospect. This is understandably so. However, locals will be eternally grateful to their Anglo-Saxon guests if they veer towards the James Bond model of gallantry, rather than that of Aethelred the Barbarian.
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