UK Leisure Carrier Jet2 Receives First of 30 Boeing 737-800s

UK leisure airline Jet2 has taken delivery of the first of 30 Boeing 737-800s it has on order.

The 189-seat aircraft, which will enter revenue service over the next few weeks, will be followed by the remainder of the 30-strong order over the next two years. The aircraft were ordered in two batches, comprising an order for 27 737-800s that was finalized in September 2015 and a further three that were ordered in December 2015.
"The 30 new aircraft will support the ongoing growth at Jet2.com and Jet2holidays," the company said. "The aircraft will be operated across the company's nine UK bases and will take package holiday and flight-only customers to sunshine, ski and city destinations."

Jet2 described the delivery as a major milestone in its growth and development strategy, which will see it open new bases in Birmingham and London Stansted in 2017 and hire almost 1,000 additional pilots, cabin crew and engineers.

Since launching in 2003, Jet2 has expanded to become the fourth largest UK-registered airline, serving 65 destinations. For the financial year ended March 31, 2016, the group flew over 6 million passengers and revenue rose 15% to EUR1.3 billion (US$1.7 billion).

Victoria Moores, ATW Daily News