Jet2 to launch flights and holidays from London Gatwick as airline expands UK footprint
Jet2, the UK’s largest tour operator, has announced a major expansion with the launch of flights and holidays from London Gatwick, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s growth strategy.
The company has secured six aircraft slots at Gatwick after the airport released additional capacity. Five Airbus A321neo planes will be based at the West Sussex hub, with a sixth aircraft positioned overseas to support operations.
Jet2’s first flight from Gatwick will depart for Tenerife on 26 March 2025, signaling the company’s long-awaited move into the capital’s busiest leisure travel market.
‘A once in a generation opportunity’
Jet2 chief executive Steve Heapy described the move as an “incredibly exciting moment” for the airline, which already operates from 13 UK bases.
“For many years, our ambition has been to provide our differentiated, service led, end to end product offering from London Gatwick,” he 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.”
Heapy added that there had been “huge demand” from customers and independent travel agents in the South East for Jet2’s “award winning” holidays and flights.
“It’s fantastic to finally say we’re here and ready to meet those travelling needs,” he said.
The expansion will make Gatwick Jet2’s 14th UK base, further strengthening its position in the country’s package holiday and budget flight sectors.
Summer 2025 schedule announce
Jet2 confirmed that its initial summer schedule from Gatwick will include flights to 29 sunshine destinations across Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, and Italy.
Among the highlights:
- Tenerife three flights weekly (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
- Majorca, ten flights weekly
- Faro (The Algarve), ten flights weekly
- Alicante five flights weekly
- Malaga four flights weekly
- Rhodes, Corfu, Crete, Zante, Menorca, Malta, and Naples multiple weekly services
The airline said the launch will create more than 300 direct jobs in the Gatwick region across roles including pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and ground staff, with “hundreds more” indirect jobs to follow.
‘An exciting new chapter for Gatwick’
Pierre Hugues Schmit, chief executive of London Gatwick, welcomed Jet2’s arrival as a boost for passengers and the local economy.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jet2 to London Gatwick, marking an exciting new chapter for the airport and our passengers,” he said.
“Jet2’s arrival brings even more choice and flexibility to travellers across the South East, strengthening our vision to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey.”
Schmit said the announcement came at a “perfect time” following government approval for the routine use of Gatwick’s northern runway, a development expected to further expand connectivity and economic growth in the region.
“We are committed to delivering exceptional service and look forward to supporting Jet2’s growth and success at London Gatwick,” he added.
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Strategic foothold for future growth
Jet2 said its entry into Gatwick gives the airline a “strong strategic foothold” for future expansion in the South East, where demand for leisure travel continues to outpace pre pandemic levels.
The airline has grown rapidly in recent years, earning a reputation for customer service and reliability, and is now positioning itself to compete more directly with Ryanair, easyJet, and British Airways on key short haul routes.
Jet2’s move also highlights Gatwick’s ambitions to reclaim market share following years of disruption from the pandemic and operational challenges faced by rival airports.
