Jet2 Delivers a Very Unwelcome Birthday Present to EasyJet
Photo Credit: A Jet2 Boeing 737 aircraft. Jet2.com
Skift Take
They say nothing beats a Jet2 holiday – but muscling into a rival’s biggest base on its birthday must come pretty close.
As British low-cost giant easyJet celebrates its 30th birthday, an unwelcome guest is ready to spoil the party.
On Wednesday, Jet2 – the UK’s third-largest airline and biggest tour operator – announced plans for a major new base at London Gatwick Airport, squarely in the backyard of its orange-clad rival.
The launch marks Jet2’s 14th UK base and its first ever presence at the country’s second-busiest airport. The leisure-focused carrier will start flying in March with six aircraft serving 29 European and Mediterranean destinations.
The scale of Jet2’s imminent arrival is significant. According to Gatwick, it represents the largest new airline base to be launched at the airport this century.
Beyond the scale, the timing couldn’t be more pointed. In the week that easyJet marks
