LONDON- UK’s largest tour operator and third-largest airline, Jet2 (LS), has announced the launch of flights and holidays from London Gatwick, marking a major expansion in its UK network. This move increases Jet2’s UK airport base count to 14 and follows a series of successful launches at other UK airports.
This milestone marks the first time a major leisure carrier has established a new base at Gatwick since 2020 and the largest single new-based airline arrival at the airport this century. Jet2.com is expanding into the UK’s second-largest airport to bring its award-winning services.
Jet2 London Gatwick Base
Jet2.com’s Gatwick base will commence operations in the summer of 2026, with its first flight departing to Tenerife on 26 March 2026—timed to capture the Easter holiday market.
In its opening season, the airline will operate a fleet of six aircraft, including five brand-new Airbus A321neo jets renowned for fuel efficiency and lower noise emissions.
The initial program offers 29 “sunshine” destinations across Spain, the Canary Islands, the Balearics, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Malta, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Cyprus.
The investment in Gatwick also brings a significant employment boost: more than 300 direct jobs will be created across flight deck, cabin crew, engineering, and ground operations, with hundreds more indirect roles expected in the regional supply chain.
For Jet2 and Gatwick, this strategic partnership emphasizes growth, sustainability, and increasing choice for leisure travelers in the South East.
Strategic Impact of New Base
Jet2.com’s decision to base at Gatwick reflects strong demand from customers and travel agents alike, who have long called for the airline’s service at this airport.
The Gatwick base unlocks previously untapped potential in the London market for Jet2’s differentiated end-to-end offering: flights plus ATOL-protected packages via its sister operation, Jet2holidays.
From the airport’s perspective, Gatwick’s operational efficiency and capacity expansion—including the approved routine use of its northern runway—make it a key growth platform for leisure carriers.
The new base’s commencement at Gatwick further positions the airport as a leisure-friendly hub catering to the Southeast population, and the use of the Airbus A321neo aircraft for its Gatwick operations underscores its commitment to sustainability and efficiency.
The aircraft delivers over 20 % lower fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions per seat, along with approximately 50 % lower noise footprint compared with conventional alternatives. By basing five of these jets at Gatwick, Jet2 is combining environmental ambition with commercial growth.
Holidays and Travel Agent Benefits
With a wide network of 29 destinations from Gatwick, Jet2com and Jet2holidays will offer the South East UK travel market access to the operator’s full service proposition:
- Friendly flight times
- Generous baggage allowances
- ATOL-protected package holidays including 2–5 star accommodation, in-resort customer helpers, and transfers.
The travel-agent channel is explicitly served in this launch, addressing long-standing demand for Jet2’s packages in the region.
Bottom Line
Jet2.com’s launch of flights and holidays from London Gatwick marks a strategic expansion for both the airline and the airport.
With 29 holiday destinations, six-aircraft deployment and more than 300 jobs, the initiative strengthens Gatwick’s leisure offering and brings Jet2’s award-winning proposition to the South East.
The move is set to reshape the region’s travel landscape and reflects Jet2’s growth ambition and commitment to its customers and agent partners.
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