Jet2 has declared the introduction of 26 new flight routes to various sunny destinations across Europe. The budget carrier has disclosed its intentions to commence flights and vacation packages from Gatwick Airport. Jet2 has secured slots for six aircraft at the second busiest airport in the UK. Five Airbus A321neo planes will be stationed at Gatwick, with an additional aircraft positioned overseas. The inaugural flight from Gatwick to Tenerife, Spain, is scheduled for March 26 next year.
The airline, known for its viral advertisements featuring Jess Glynne’s Hold My Hand, will operate flights to numerous sunny destinations in the upcoming spring and summer seasons. Steve Heapy, Jet2’s chief executive, expressed excitement about the announcement, emphasizing the company’s commitment to offering unique service-led travel experiences from London Gatwick. Gatwick will become Jet2’s 14th base in the UK, initially providing flights to 29 sunshine destinations in countries like Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, and Italy. The airline confirmed the creation of over 300 direct job positions in Gatwick, spanning various roles including pilots, cabin crew, engineering, and ground operations, with the addition of several hundred indirect employment opportunities.
Pierre-Hugues Schmit, Gatwick’s chief executive, welcomed Jet2 to the airport, highlighting the added choice and flexibility the airline brings to passengers in the South East and beyond. He also mentioned the recent government approval for routine use of Gatwick’s northern runway, enhancing connectivity and economic growth. Jet2, a highly acclaimed airline in the UK, has received multiple awards, including Best Airline at the Routes Europe Awards and The Telegraph Travel Awards for Best Short-Haul Airline. It has been recognized as the Most Reliable UK Airline by AirAdvisor and has consistently been a Which? Recommended Provider for ten years due to its exceptional track record of low cancellation rates.