Jet2 Launches 29 New Routes from Gatwick for Summer 2026

British low-cost leisure airline Jet2 has made a significant announcement regarding its expansion plans, revealing that it will begin operations from London Gatwick Airport starting on March 26, 2026. This marks a historic moment for the airline, as it establishes its first-ever base at London’s second-busiest airport, offering a total of 29 routes to various holiday destinations across Europe.

This move positions Jet2 as Gatwick’s largest new leisure airline of the century and the first major addition to its roster since 2020. The airline plans to base six aircraft at the airport, including five new Airbus A321neo jets, which will enhance its ability to serve vacationers heading to popular destinations.

Expanding Holiday Choices

Jet2’s new summer schedule will cover a wide range of appealing holiday spots, featuring destinations in Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey. The airline’s first flight from Gatwick will head to Tenerife, one of 11 Spanish destinations included in the new lineup. The expansion significantly increases getaway options for travelers using Gatwick, which has traditionally been seen as a secondary airport for leisure travel.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, described the launch as a “transformational next step” for the airline, highlighting the long-standing ambition to operate from Gatwick. He noted, “Today’s announcement represents an incredibly exciting moment for Jet2. 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.”

Details of the New Routes

Jet2’s summer network will include a variety of routes, with a strong emphasis on destinations that are popular among holidaymakers. The airline will operate 11 routes to Spain, 10 to Greece, and additional services to Italy, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, Portugal, and Turkey.

Key highlights of the route frequency include:
– Faro and Palma de Mallorca will be among the busiest, with ten weekly flights each.
– Other high-frequency services will include routes to Alicante, Malaga, and Tenerife.

The detailed schedule is as follows:

– **Alicante (ALC)**: Starts March 26, 2026, five weekly flights.
– **Antalya (AYT)**: Starts March 27, 2026, three weekly flights.
– **Bourgas (BOJ)**: Starts May 2, 2026, two weekly flights.
– **Corfu (CFU)**: Starts April 6, 2026, two weekly flights.
– **Faro (FAO)**: Starts March 28, 2026, ten weekly flights.
– **Fuerteventura (FUE)**: Starts March 29, 2026, two weekly flights.
– **Gran Canaria (LPA)**: Starts March 29, 2026, two weekly flights.
– **Heraklion (HER)**: Starts March 30, 2026, two weekly flights.
– **Ibiza (IBZ)**: Starts May 1, 2026, two weekly flights.
– **Malaga (AGP)**: Starts March 29, 2026, four weekly flights.
– **Tenerife–South (TFS)**: Starts March 26, 2026, three weekly flights.

Jet2’s commitment to establishing a base at Gatwick is expected to create over 300 jobs, encompassing roles in ground handling, operations, flight crew, and administration. This expansion will not only bolster the airline’s presence but also contribute to the local economy.

As Jet2 enters this competitive market, it will face established airlines like easyJet, TUI Airways, and Wizz Air. With easyJet currently leading in market share at Gatwick, the new routes are expected to challenge the status quo, particularly as Jet2 capitalizes on its position as the UK’s largest package holiday operator, accommodating over seven million holiday package passengers in 2023.

With this strategic expansion, Jet2 aims to enhance its footprint in the UK travel market, providing customers with more options and competitive pricing for their holiday plans.