Jet2 announced this week that it is opening its 10th UK base at Bristol Airport with flights beginning in April 2021. Tickets have gone on sale for flights from BRS to 33 destinations, including four that are new and exclusive from Bristol.
Jet2 to operate 56 weekly flights from Bristol
In an announcement on Wednesday, Jet2 said it was launching flights and holidays from Bristol Airport, making it their 10th UK base. The airline and package holiday company will be operating up to 56 flights a week to 33 destinations in mainland Spain, the Canary and Balearic Islands, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Portugal, and Madeira. The carrier’s Summer 21 program offers 29 summer hotspots.
The destinations include four new and exclusive destinations from Bristol — Costa de Almeria in Spain, Kalamata and Lesvos in Greece, and Izmir in Turkey. Additionally, for the winter 2021/22 season, 11 destinations are being offered for winter sun and ski holidays across Europe. They include Geneva, Grenoble, Salzburg, and Paphos in Cyprus.
Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy said,
“This is an incredibly exciting day for Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, as we expand our award-winning flights and holidays to Bristol Airport. We know how much demand there is because we have been listening to customers and independent travel agents in the region for some time.
“The announcement of our tenth UK base reflects our long-term strategy to continue growing our successful business and become the UK’s leading leisure travel business. It also represents a significant investment in the region, including the creation of at least 200 new jobs.”
Three aircraft will be based at Bristol, and flights will begin on April 1st, 2021. The inaugural flight will carry holidaymakers to Lanzarote. Jet2 said in September that it expects its summer 2021 schedule to be similar to that of 2019.
The new base creates 200 new jobs
Wednesday’s announcement demonstrates Jet2’s continued confidence in its business model and further underlines its long-term ambition to become the UK’s leading leisure travel business.
After a period when many thousands of aviation jobs have been lost, Jet2s arrival at Bristol Airport means significant investment for the region. More than 200 new jobs will be created, with roles including flight and cabin crew, engineers, and ground operations staff. Bristol Airport CEO Dave Lees said,
“We are delighted to welcome Jet2.com and Jet2holidays to Bristol Airport. Never has the time been more important for the region to look to the future in a post-Covid world.”
Bristol Airport Expansion Plans Blocked
Earlier this year, before the pandemic took hold, Bristol Airport had its expansion plans blocked by North Somerset Council. The airport sought to raise the cap on passenger numbers from 10 to 12 million per year. It announced in August that it would appeal against the planning application’s refusal, claiming that it was contrary to the council’s own planning officers.
The expansion plans include extensions to the terminal building, road improvements, new public transport services, construction of a multi-story car park, and improvements to passenger facilities. Environmentalists are strongly opposing the plans.
What do you think of Jet2’s continued growth?