Jet2 is bringing its flights and holidays to London Gatwick, becoming the first major leisure airline to set up shop there since 2020. It's also the biggest new airline to base itself at Gatwick this century.
The move means the UK's third biggest airline and largest tour operator will now fly from 14 airports across Britain.
They're launching with 29 sunny destinations from March 2026, with the first flight heading to Tenerife on March 26 - just in time for Easter holidays.
Six planes will be based at Gatwick, including five brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft that use 20 per cent less fuel per seat.
New flights and holidays will go to Italy, among other popular destinations
| PEXELSThe airline will fly to destinations across Spain, the Canary Islands, the Balearics, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Malta, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria and Cyprus.
More than 300 direct jobs will be created at first, covering everything from pilots and cabin crew to engineers and ground staff. Hundreds more indirect jobs will follow as the airline settles in.
The new A321neo planes are particularly quiet too - they make 50 per cent less noise than other aircraft while carrying passengers to their favourite holiday spots.
It's a major investment for the region, bringing Jet2's award-winning service to customers across London and the South East.
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Steve Heapy, Jet2's CEO, said: "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.
"We know all too well how much demand there is amongst 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.
"Time and time again, we have proven that when we bring the Jet2 product to new customers, we delight them, and we subsequently expand our operations on the back of that popularity.
"We know that bringing the Jet2 formula to London Gatwick will be a game-changer for customers, and we are looking forward to a hugely successful future from our newest UK airport base."
Jet2 passengers can also book to go to Malta
| JET2London Gatwick's chief executive, Pierre-Hugues, added: "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."
In more airline news, British Airways has announced a huge update on its planes affecting all passengers. All holidaymakers will soon be able to experience Wi-Fi on board for free.
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