Jet2 marks milestone with airport pledge

A budget airline has reaffirmed its commitment to a travel hub after marking two decades of service.

Jet2.com says Newcastle International Airport will “continue shaping its growth”.

Bosses made the vow in a ceremony to celebrate 20 years of flying from the aviation base.

Since its first flight in September 2005, the airline has grown from a single aircraft serving two destinations to nine aircraft flying to 54 places, carrying almost 15 million passengers from Newcastle.

And officials say it is expanding its route network with winter 2025/2026 flights to Budapest, Chambery, Marrakech and Gdansk, and summer 2026 destinations to Agadir, Barcelona, Porto, Palermo and Preveza marking its “biggest ever summer from Newcastle”.

Speaking to Bdaily, Phil Ward, chief operations officer at Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, who hails from Newcastle, said: “To be celebrating 20 years is really nice.

“It’s fantastic to see everyone checking in and going on their holidays – it really marks a special moment for us in Newcastle.

“I started work here in 1979, and I was at Jet2 before we even started flying. 

“I’ve seen the growth of Newcastle and the success of the airport as we’ve grown the airline across the country,” said Phil, who is a huge Newcastle United fan.

He added: “Back in 2005, Newcastle was one of our first small hubs. 

“We grew steadily and strategically, focusing on the north of England and flying from the cloudy north to the sunshine – it was a simple but effective strategy.

“As we evolved into Jet2holidays, demand for the product and our award-winning customer service really accelerated our growth.

“Newcastle was one of the first regional airports where we really made a big impact, and it has continued to be one of our stronger and most successful regional airports.

“The North East has definitely shaped the way we’ve grown across the country, and will continue to do so.”

During its time at Newcastle, the carrier's staff numbers have grown from ten to 800, making Jet2.com the largest operator at the airport.

Eight employees, including cabin crew base manager Lisa McGarry, have served the full 20 years.

Lisa said: “I've seen the business grow immensely.

“After a year, I was proud to be promoted to performance trainer before progressing to my current role as cabin crew base manager. 

“It’s a great feeling coming into work knowing there is support available as the team ethic at Newcastle is amazing.”

To mark its anniversary, customers enjoyed a red-carpet welcome and celebratory cupcakes, with 20 lucky holidaymakers receiving free flight vouchers.

One even won a seven-night Jet2holiday to Menorca. 

Leon McQuaid, director of aviation development at Newcastle Airport, told Bdaily: “I’ve been here 19-and-a-half years – almost the same time Jet2 has been operating. 

“From one aircraft and two destinations, they’ve evolved from low-cost, seat-only flights to full Jet2holidays packages. 

“That change has given North East passengers reliability, choice and new destinations.

“And there’s full alignment between their team and ours at the airport. 

“Operationally and culturally, they feel like one of the family here. 

“That collaboration makes all the difference to the customer experience.”

Leon was quick to acknowledge just how important Jet2 has become for the wider North East economy too, creating hundreds of jobs and bringing “significant investment to our region”.

He added: “Jet2 is our biggest airline in terms of people they employ and passenger traffic.

“There are around 800 people employed directly by Jet2, but if you include all the jobs created through the supply chain – cafés, security, catering – we’re talking thousands more.

“It’s a huge footprint and a significant investment in the North East.”

Leon added Jet2’s 20th anniversary, coming alongside Ryanair’s announcement it will base a third aircraft at Newcastle for the 2025/2026 winter season, as well as the airport’s recent publication of its 2040 masterplan, further highlights just how strongly the airport has bounced back from the pandemic.

He said: “We’ve seen real momentum return. 

“Confidence has come back, investment has returned and demand from the North East travelling public is stronger than ever.

“We’ve invested heavily in the customer journey – from next-generation security that means you don’t take anything out of your bags, to refreshed food and drink outlets and bigger retail spaces. 

“We’re now operating with 16 airlines, more than we had pre-COVID-19, which shows just how far we’ve come back and how much confidence there is in Newcastle.

“Airlines are also responding to that demand, bringing new investment and new routes, which only builds further confidence in the region.”

“Our 2040 masterplan sets out how we see the airport growing, from resurfacing the runway to a terminal extension with more seating, new baggage carousels and better facilities. 

“It’s all about preparing for more passengers and making their last memory as positive as their first.”

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