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Jet2’s new Luton Airport base will create jobs, bosses say

Pabio November 13, 2024

Jet2 will serve 17 destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean, including the Canary Islands, according to the operator.

PA Media A Jet2 plane flying against a pale gray sky. He is painted white and has Jet written in red and 2 written in white in large letters on his body. — Jet2 will serve 17 destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean, including the Canary Islands, according to the operator.

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

The company announced that it would serve 17 destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean, including the Canary Islands, from summer 2025.

The airport is owned by Luton Borough Council, Luton Rising. Council Labor leader Hazel Simmons said the investment would “benefit our town and neighboring communities”.

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

Jet2 is the latest airline to establish itself at the municipal airport.

Getty Images An entrance to London Luton Airport. It's a gray building with London Luton Airport written in white on its wall. Ahead are barriers and a white-covered walkway. You can see people walking — Jet2 is the latest airline to establish itself at the municipal airport.

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

Airport 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 for many years to open at London Luton Airport.

(L to R) Simon Harley, Jonathan Rayner, Alberto Martin, Steve Heapy and Ian Doubtfire of Jet2

London Luton Airport Five men in suits looking towards the camera. Between them is a sign for Jet2.com, indicating that it takes off from London Luton Airport in white letters on an orange background. They are standing outside the airport, where an entrance can be seen behind them. — (L to R) Simon Harley, Jonathan Rayner, Alberto Martin, Steve Heapy and Ian Doubtfire of Jet2

Jet2 already serves 12 UK airports and has bases at 10 of them – but it does not yet fly to 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 of its continued success.”