In a major expansion of its UK operations, holiday airline Jet2 has confirmed it will begin operating flights and package holidays from London Gatwick Airport starting in March 2026. The move is set to create a significant number of new jobs and provide a substantial boost to travel options for millions of people in the South East.
A Significant Expansion and Job Creation
The Leeds-based company, which is the UK's largest tour operator of its kind, has secured landing and take-off slots for six aircraft at the West Sussex airport. Five brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft will be based directly at Gatwick, with a further aircraft positioned overseas to support the new routes.
This strategic development is a key part of Jet2's long-term growth plan and is expected to create more than 300 direct new jobs in the region surrounding the airport. These roles will span pilots, cabin crew, engineering, and ground operations staff. Additionally, the expansion is projected to generate hundreds more indirect employment opportunities within the local supply chain and service industries.
Sunshine Destinations from the UK's Second Largest Airport
The inaugural flight from the new base is scheduled for March 26, 2026, departing for the popular Spanish island of Tenerife. From there, Jet2 will initially offer flights from Gatwick to a total of 29 sought-after 'sunshine destinations'.
Holidaymakers can look forward to jetting off to hotspots in countries including:
- Spain
- Greece
- Turkey
- Portugal
- Italy
This move taps into Gatwick's vast catchment area, which includes nearly 15 million people who can reach the airport by road or rail within one hour.
Leadership Hails "Transformational" Opportunity
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 plc, described the announcement as an "incredibly exciting moment" for the business. He stated that operating from London Gatwick has been a long-standing ambition for the company, which is known for its customer-focused, service-led package holidays.
Mr Heapy said: "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. This development represents a transformational change in our addressable market." He added that while establishing the new operations would require short-term investment, the company expects to deliver meaningful profit growth in the longer term.
Pierre-Hugues Schmit, Chief Executive of London Gatwick Airport, expressed his delight at welcoming Jet2. He noted that the airline's arrival strengthens the airport's vision and comes at an exciting time, following recent government approval for the routine use of its northern runway, which is set to further expand connectivity and economic growth.
With this addition, Gatwick will become the 14th UK airport to host a Jet2 base, joining other major hubs including Manchester, London Stansted, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.
