'This year, end up in Malaga, not Margate': EasyJet withdraws advertising campaign after criticism

EasyJet has apologised and withdrawn an advertising campaign after being accused of making “cheap jibes” about a seaside town.

The budget airline faced criticism after running poster ads on the rail network saying: "This year, end up in Malaga, not Margate."

Locals in the Kent resort took umbrage at the airline publicly poking fun at their town, and took to Twitter to rally to its defence.

One, calling herself seasidelandlady, tweeted: "easyJet How VERY dare you talk about OUR town like that, you can keep your cheap trips, and cheap jibes £letsallstacationatmargate Grrr."

Local resident and councillor, Will Scobie, said easyJet had picked the wrong target for its ad campaign. He said: "Margate is a fantastic town for people to visit.

"We've just been named as one of the top 10 places in the world to visit, we've got exciting local shops that you can't find anywhere else, the new Turner Contemporary art gallery and an air show this summer.

"EasyJet picked the wrong place to insult with their campaign."

EasyJet apologised and confirmed it had stopped running the ads.

It said in a statement: "There was no intended criticism of the town but, of course, we apologise to any residents of Margate who have been offended by the campaign.

"EasyJet has taken the decision to cease running the ads."

PA