Jet2 to Open New Base at London Gatwick with 29 Holiday Routes
Jet2 has announced the opening of a new base at London Gatwick Airport, set for March 2026. The airline will operate six aircraft, including five permanently based at the airport, covering 29 destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean. This expansion marks Jet2’s 14th UK base and represents its biggest new launch in London Gatwick’s history, aiming to make travel easier for passengers in South East England.
From 26 March 2026, Jet2 will begin flights to Tenerife, with more routes following throughout the spring. The schedule includes popular leisure destinations such as Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Italy, and Croatia. Services will be operated with Airbus A321neo aircraft, which use less fuel and produce lower noise levels than older planes. The launch will also create over 300 new jobs, from pilots and engineers to cabin crew.
“We are incredibly excited to be announcing our arrival at London Gatwick, which is a major milestone in our continued success story. 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 the UK’s second largest airport, so it is fantastic to be able to tell them that we are here and ready to meet that demand."
London Gatwick Airport’s management has welcomed Jet2’s arrival as a major boost for connectivity and local employment. The new base will strengthen the airport’s role as a leading hub for holiday and leisure travel. It also follows recent government approval for the use of Gatwick’s Northern Runway, which will further expand the airport’s flight capacity in the coming years.
The new routes make it easier to get to Mediterranean beaches, old European cities, and island getaways. People can now fly directly from Gatwick to Tenerife, Athens, and the Croatian coast. The wider network gives both families and independent flyers more ways to plan their holidays. It also helps them pick flights that match their schedule and budget, without long waits or extra connections. It adds more flexibility for those planning short breaks or more extended holidays from the South East.
Many people still want to travel around Europe and prefer having more direct flights from South East England. As Gatwick adds new flights, it is likely to attract even more passengers looking for straightforward, well-connected travel. Jet2’s launch shows that leisure flying is recovering steadily. Airlines are now paying closer attention to a mix of familiar destinations and new places to visit.