Jet2holidays’ Atol now licenses it for 4,655,694 passengers, compared to Tui UK’s 5,122,443. The optimistic outlook from Jet2 comes after a boom in customers new to the brand.

In its latest financial statement, Jet2 said more than 35% of summer 2022 bookings were “completely new customers to Jet2”. It added average load factors on its aircraft were only 1.4 points behind summer 2019 despite a 14% increase in seat capacity, and with pricing “robust”.

However, it warned: “Group performance for the financial year ending 31 March 2023 very much depends on how quickly the broader aviation sector returns to some level of stability, as well as strength of bookings for the remainder of summer and the second half of the financial year, a period for which we still have limited visibility.
       
“In the medium term, inflationary pressures coupled with the uncertain UK economic outlook for consumers lead us to conclude that prices are likely to come under some pressure. However, we believe we have the right product for these tougher times.”

A Jet2 spokesperson said: "Our Atol licence has increased from 3.8 million to 4.65 million, which demonstrates our financial stability as well as the demand for our package holidays.

"Our track record of looking after customers over the past few years, as well as not cancelling flights due to staff shortages means customers and independent travel agents trust us.

"We recruited well ahead of the bounce back so we have very visible teams in UK airports as well as in main overseas airports and in resorts."