Jet2 opening new base at UK airport

Jet2 will fly to 17 destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean, including the Canary Islands, the operator says

Airline and tour operator Jet2 has chosen London Luton Airport as its latest UK base.

The company said it would fly to 17 destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean, including the Canary Islands, from next summer.

The airport is owned by Luton Borough Council company Luton Rising and run by a private operator. The council's Labour leader Hazel Simmons said the investment would "deliver for our town and neighbouring communities".

Jet2 chief executive Steve Heapy said the move would create 125 jobs initially.

Jet2 is the latest airline to base itself at the the council-owned airport

Luton Airport said it carried more than 16.2 million passengers in 2023 and airlines already based there include easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Tui.

The airport's chief executive Alberto Martin said it was "fantastic news" for passengers and "marks a major expansion of Jet2’s operations in the south of England".

Mr Heapy said: "Customers and independent travel agents have been asking us to open at London Luton Airport for many years now."

(From left to right) Simon Harley, Jonathan Rayner, Alberto Martin, Steve Heapy and Ian Doubtfire from Jet2

Jet2 already flies to 12 UK airports and has bases at 10 of them - but it does not currently fly into Luton.

Ms Simmons said the news would bring "jobs and economic growth".

"Employment in and around the airport is already at record levels and today’s announcement will make another major contribution to the next chapter in its ongoing success."