Jet2 has launched operations from a new base at London Gatwick Airport, marking the airport’s largest airline launch in more than a decade.
The airline’s first flights departed on March 26 to Tenerife and Alicante. A launch event was held in the South Terminal, where passengers on the inaugural Tenerife service were offered refreshments and promotional giveaways.
Jet2 will operate 29 routes from Gatwick, serving destinations across Spain, Türkiye, Portugal, Cyprus, Malta, Greece, Italy, Bulgaria and Croatia. The airline will base six Airbus A321neo aircraft at the airport.
The new base is expected to create more than 300 jobs locally, including roles in flight operations, engineering, cabin crew, customer service and ground handling.
Pierre-Hugues Schmit, CEO of London Gatwick, said, “Today’s inaugural Jet2 flights mark an exciting moment for London Gatwick and for passengers across the region. The launch of 29 new routes and the creation of more than 300 jobs demonstrate the strength of demand for travel from our airport and the confidence airlines have in London Gatwick as a place to grow.”
He added that the new services will expand passenger choice across the airport’s network of more than 230 destinations.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said the launch follows strong demand for the airline to operate from Gatwick: “Today is an incredibly exciting moment for Jet2, as we welcome our first customers at London Gatwick and wave off our inaugural flight.
“Since going on sale, we have experienced strong demand from customers and independent travel agents, and we are looking forward to a successful future from our newest UK airport base.”
Jet2’s Gatwick operation is its 14th UK airport base. The airline has also confirmed plans for the winter 2026/2027 season, with 23 destinations already on sale, including winter sun, ski and Christmas market routes.
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