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Jet2 opens new base and starts flights from Luton

Danny Fullbrook
BBC News, Bedfordshire
BBC/Kevin Saddington A white plane with the "Jet2holidays" logo parked on a runway during an overcast day.BBC/Kevin Saddington
The first Jet2 flight from Luton took off on Monday

An airline has begun operating from London Luton Airport in a move it says will create more than 100 jobs.

It has been more than 20 years since an airline has opened a new base at the airport.

By the summer, Jet2 will operate 36 flights a week from Luton, with the first of them – a service to Majorca – taking off today.

But an anti-airport expansion group said the move would lead to more noise and pollution.

Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: "Every aircraft we put in... [helps] to create employment in the area."

He said 125 jobs had been created at the airline, with further new roles at the airport.

Mr Heapy added that the airline had been in discussions with the airport for a number of years but there had not previously been room for it.

BBC/Helen Mulroy A middle-aged man looking at the camera with a Jet2 plane behind him, out of focus.BBC/Helen Mulroy
Steve Heapy said the airline had created at least 125 jobs in the area

Peter White, from Stop Luton Airport Expansion, said the arrival of Jet2 at the airport would cause more noise, pollution and traffic on the roads.

He said 14 of the 17 destinations offered by the airline were already served by the airport.

"You could give somebody an extra five or 10 minutes' space [from noise] rather than give somebody another chance to go to Tenerife," he said.

BBC/Helen Mulroy A man wearing a red hoodie and large glasses. He has grey hair. He is standing in a field with part of the airport visible in the distance.BBC/Helen Mulroy
Peter White, of Stop Luton Airport Expansion, said the new routes were unnecessary

Mr Heapy insisted the airline was doing everything it could to cut its carbon footprint.

"We have got the cleanest, greenest, quietest aircraft based here," he said.

"We've got 146 of these on order... so you can see the investment we're making in a greener future."

BBC/Helen Mulroy A man with dark hair is smiling at the camera. He has a high-vis jacket on. Behind him is a plane, out of focus.BBC/Helen Mulroy
Airport CEO Alberto Martin has welcomed the arrival of Jet2 to Luton

Alberto Martin, the airport's chief executive, said the arrival of Jet2 was the first new base at Luton in more than two decades.

He defended the airport's record on sustainability and said the airport had the largest modern fleet of planes compared with other airports.

"Our passengers will now have new opportunities, new routes – holidaymakers will be happy," Mr Martin said.

"But also it's very important for the community, as every time an airline opens a new base it brings new jobs, new opportunities for local businesses."

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