Jet2 will initially base two aircraft at Bournemouth, which becomes its 12th UK base, where it will operate up to 27 flights a week to an initial 16 destinations.
However, chief executive Steve Heapy on Tuesday confirmed to TTG that a third aircraft would be stationed at Bournemouth from April 2026, with Agadir launching as a new destination during winter 2025/26. He also hinted Jet2 would launch more new destinations from Bournemouth next summer.
Jet2 had originally intended to launch Bournemouth on 1 April but brought flights forward to 4 February, citing demand from both agents and consumers in the area.
The initial services are three routes to the Canaries, beginning with Tuesday’s inaugural to Tenerife, followed by Lanzarote on Thursday (6 February) and Gran Canaria on Sunday (9 February). Jet2 will also serve Fuerteventura and Madeira exclusively from Bournemouth.
“We are looking forward to what we think will be a very successful operation – it was a nice full aircraft this morning,” said Heapy. "I’m confident for this summer and this coming winter, and for summer 2026, we will have more new routes.”
Jet2’s main rival at Bournemouth will be Tui, which also bases two aircraft there. However, Heapy claimed: “We will have far superior customer service to them.”
Asked how many local independent agents were supporting the launch of the new base, Heapy said: “All of them. I’m very grateful for their support.
"We have been asked by independent agents to start an operation in Bournemouth for some time because they wanted a quality package operator down here.”
Heapy said Jet2 could consider basing a fourth aircraft at Bournemouth. “We will see how it goes. We have a lot of bedding in to do, but we have what seems like a very loyal catchment area. Plus, we have 146 aircraft on order – we have plenty of aircraft.”
Jet2 will open its 13th UK base at Luton airport on 1 April. It will base two aircraft there having said it could only get enough slots for a pair of aircraft. Heapy said this was still the case.
He said summer 2025 was selling “OK". “I’m pretty pleased with where it is, it’s a good build-up of bookings," he said, adding peaks had provided “a good strong start to the year".
