Major airline to launch new ‘sunshine destination’ flights and holidays from London Gatwick

Holidaymakers will be able to fly with Jet2 from March next year

Jet2 will soon be offering flights and holidays from Gatwick Airport(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Holiday company Jet2 has announced it will soon serve Gatwick airport for flights and holidays, creating 300 new jobs in the process.

The UK’s largest tour operator said that it had secured slots for six aircraft “following the release of additional capacity” by the UK’s second busiest airport.

Jet2 will base five Airbus A321neo aircraft at the West Sussex airport, with a further aircraft positioned overseas, with its first Gatwick flight will depart to Tenerife, Spain, on March 26 next year.

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Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2, said: “Today’s announcement represents an incredibly exciting moment for Jet2.

Jet2 currently plans to offer flights and holidays to “sunshine destinations” such as Greece, Turkey, Spain, and Italy(Image: Getty Images)

“For many years, our ambition has been to provide our differentiated, service-led, end-to-end product offering from London Gatwick, and we see this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate our growth from the UK’s largest beach and city leisure destination airport.

“We know all too well how much demand there is among customers and independent travel agents for us to operate our award-winning flights and holidays from London Gatwick, so it is fantastic to be able to share that we are here and ready to meet their travelling needs.”

Gatwick will become the 14th UK airport with a Jet2 base, of which Manchester Airport is one.

The company is initially offering flights from Gatwick to 29 “sunshine destinations” in countries such as Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal and Italy.

It said more than 300 direct jobs will be created in the region around Gatwick across roles including pilots, cabin crew, engineering and ground operations, with an additional hundreds of indirect jobs also generated.

Gatwick chief executive Pierre-Hugues Schmit said: “We are thrilled to welcome Jet2 to London Gatwick, marking an exciting new chapter for the airport and our passengers.

The first Jet2 flight from Gatwick will fly in March 2026(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

“Jet2’s arrival brings even more choice and flexibility to passengers across the South East and beyond, strengthening London Gatwick’s vision to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey.

“It is an exciting time for Jet2 to join London Gatwick following the recent Government approval for routine use of our northern runway, which will further expand connectivity and economic growth.

“We are committed to delivering exceptional service and we look forward to supporting Jet2’s growth and success here at London Gatwick.”

Jet2 said its introduction to Gatwick gives it a “strong strategic foothold to benefit from future expansion” at the airport.