EasyJet is UK's Largest Airline

Figures published by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) show 28,147,268 passengers flew with the airline through UK airports in 2009.

George Best Belfast City Airport's biggest operator Flybe carried 6,749,650 passengers throughout its network during the same period.

Ryanair, easyJet's major low cost rival which also operates flights from Belfast City carried 28,095,201 while bmi whose aircraft link City with London Heathrow carried 6,887,386

EasyJet says its success is based 'on offering the lowest fares to the most convenient airports' and Chief Executive Andy Harrison claimed it was now "the UK's national airline.

"Passengers have clearly voted with their feet, boarding easyJet's aircraft more than any other airline," he added.

In addition easyJet is making significant headway in Europe. The airline is now the leading operator at many major European airports such as Milan Malpensa, and is the second largest airline in France and Switzerland.

In 2010 the company predicts it will grow by 10% to carry over 50 million passengers across Europe.

Just 15 years ago easyJet operated two aircraft. It now offers over 500 routes across 29 countries with a fleet of nearly 200 Boeing and Airbus planes.