Customers flying with the airline from the airport – the carrier’s first-ever base – received a VIP customer experience at check-in, which included a red-carpet welcome, balloon arch, birthday cake and goodie bags.

Three passengers who were also celebrating their birthday on the same day received a pair of free return flights.
 
The celebration marked 20 years since the first ever Jet2.com flight took off from Leeds Bradford to Amsterdam in 2003.

With two aircraft serving eight destinations that first summer, the company now flies to 68 sun, city and ski destinations across the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Europe from ten UK bases.

 
Since the first day of flying on 12 February 2003, the company has carried more than 100 million customers, launched flights from nine new bases and increased its fleet size to 115 aircraft for summer 2023 from two in 2003.

Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: "Our anniversary provides the ideal opportunity to look back and reflect upon all that has been achieved since we first launched.

"When we first started operating flights 20 years ago, VIP customer service, great flight times and value were key for customers, and this formula remains just as important to this day."