Travellers taking easyJet flights from airports including Stansted will soon be offered in-flight insurance, it has been announced.

The airline, which also flies from Gatwick and Luton, is rolling out the service after research highlighted a trend for not taking out insurance. 

The firm’s research found that one in five holidaymakers from the UK were flying without insurance, leading them open to great financial losses if something goes wrong on their trip. 

But people who realise they have forgotten to arrange travel insurance while they are on their bus to Stansted can now relax – because a company spokeswoman revealed they can buy insurance on-board their flight from Monday. 

Passengers will be able to pick from five or 14-day single trip European policies, covering: medical emergencies; personal accident; and personal liability.   

easyJet head of ancillaries, Nick Hughes, said: “By not taking out adequate travel insurance, Brits are at risk of paying extortionate medical bills whilst abroad.

“We want to ensure that our customers remember their holiday for all the right reasons.”

The airline also flies from Bristol, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Belfast among other locations – with passengers boarding flights uninsured at all these airports able to step off the plane covered for their break. 

Copyright Press Association 2010

Madeira, Gran Canaria and Larnaca are among the destinations featured in easyJet’s summer 2011 schedule from London Gatwick.

The UK’s largest airline will be operating a total of 86 routes from the airport next summer. The budget airline is selling flights for as little as £22.99 (one way, including taxes). The routes will begin operating from March 27 until September 30, 2011.

Paul Simmons, UK regional general manager of easyJet, said: “Our new summer schedule makes summer sun destinations even more accessible for our London passengers. 

“easyJet will offer 86 routes in Summer 2011 from London Gatwick. The secret to our success is offering the lowest fares to the most convenient airports.”

The airline has already launched the summer 2011 schedule from Stansted, where electric car owners will be able to plug and go under proposals for a network of charging posts at the airport.

Plans to install 600 plug-in posts across the East of England at a cost of £7 million are being considered by the Government after they were presented in Parliament. The proposals includes 10 posts at Stansted and another 114 in the Thames Gateway in south Essex. A final decision is expected by the end of December 2010.

Copyright Press Association 2010