Jet2 to launch Gatwick flights and holiday packages to popular destinations including Tenerife
The carrier will create 300 new jobs at the airport
The move will make Gatwick the 14th airport offering Jet2 flights(Image: Kirillm via Getty Images)
Jet2, the UK’s leading tour operator, has revealed plans to launch flights and holidays from Gatwick airport. The firm stated it had secured slots for six aircraft “following the release of additional capacity” by the UK’s second busiest airport.
Jet2 will station five Airbus A321neo aircraft at the West Sussex airport, with an additional aircraft positioned overseas. Its first Gatwick flight is set to depart for Tenerife, Spain, on March 26 next year.
Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2, expressed his excitement: “Today’s announcement represents an incredibly exciting moment for Jet2. 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.”
The carrier will be launching its first flight from Gatwick to Tenerife in March 2026(Image: Pavel1964 via Getty Images)
He continued: “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 is set to become the 14th UK airport with a Jet2 base. Initially, the company is offering flights from Gatwick to 29 “sunshine destinations” in countries such as Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal and Italy.
The announcement revealed that over 300 direct jobs will be created in the region around Gatwick, spanning roles such as pilots, cabin crew, engineering and ground operations, with hundreds more indirect jobs also expected to be generated.
Gatwick’s chief executive, Pierre-Hugues Schmit, expressed his delight: “We are thrilled to welcome Jet2 to London Gatwick, marking an exciting new chapter for the airport and our passengers. 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.”
He added: “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 stated that its introduction to Gatwick provides a “strong strategic foothold to benefit from future expansion” at the airport.
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