Jet2’s expansion bolsters Bournemouth’s airline tourism

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Bournemouth Airport is poised for a significant uptick in airline competition with Jet2’s announcement that it will establish its 12th UK base there starting next spring. This move will see Jet2 deploying two aircraft to serve a variety of destinations in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic islands, marking the beginning of heightened competition, particularly against Tui and Ryanair, which currently operate many of the same routes from Bournemouth.

Jet2’s entry into the market is kicked off with an inaugural flight to Tenerife scheduled for April 1, 2025, which is part of a broader strategy to introduce 15 other new routes, most of which are in direct competition with existing services offered by Tui and Ryanair. This strategy indicates Jet2’s aim to intensify rivalry, especially with Tui, a carrier Jet2 Holidays recently surpassed in terms of package passengers.

The airline’s competitive edge is further emphasized by its exclusive operation of two routes to Fuerteventura and Funchal, Madeira, with no current competition. In addition, Jet2 is set to challenge both Ryanair and Tui on routes to Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Palma, and Tenerife, alongside several other destinations where it will face off against Tui, including Antalya, Dalaman, Corfu, Heraklion, Rhodes, Zante, Ibiza, and Menorca. Furthermore, Jet2 will also vie with Ryanair on routes to Alicante and Faro.

Steve Heapy, Jet2’s chief executive, has expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the expansion, highlighting the demand from customers and independent travel agents for Jet2 to establish a presence at Bournemouth Airport. He emphasized the company’s commitment to offering a high-quality holiday experience, reinforcing Jet2’s strategy to become the UK’s premier leisure travel business.

This expansion into Bournemouth Airport, which saw less than one million passengers last year, is anticipated to significantly boost local employment opportunities, introduce 16 new destinations, increase flights by up to 27 extra per week, and attract an estimated 300,000 additional passengers. This partnership between Jet2, Jet2holidays, and Bournemouth Airport is seen as a transformative development for the airport’s status as a regional hub.

Sean Moulton, an aviation schedule analyst, noted Jet2’s growing market presence in the south following its expansions into London Stansted and Bristol. Although Bournemouth will be Jet2’s smallest base, the company’s strategy to compete directly with Tui and Ryanair on several routes is a clear indication of its competitive ambitions, which may lead to the opening of additional bases across the UK if successful.

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