Express & Star

Jet2 expands operations with more routes to the sun next summer

One of the biggest airlines operating at Birmingham Airport has announced even more destinations in the sun for next summer.

Published
Jet2.com and Jet2holidays launches new Summer 19 route to Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, Chania, Crete and Izmir, Turkey from Birmingham Airport

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have revealed further details of their summer 2019 programme, with the launch of another three new destinations from Birmingham Airport -to Bourgas in Bulgaria, Chania in Crete and Izmir in Turkey.

The announcement comes on the back of the recent launch of four other brand new routes from Birmingham Airport – Kefalonia, Pula, Verona and Bergerac – making seven new destinations from the base for Jet2.com and Jet2holidays next summer.

It means the airline and tour operator has 41 destinations on sale from Birmingham Airport, a total of more 1.6 million seats which represents 30 per cent capacity growth in just its third summer of operations.

From May 2019, the company will operate two weekly services (Mondays and Thursdays) to Bourgas (Bulgaria), meaning almost 16,000 seats in its first year of operation. The destination offers great value for money as well as miles of golden sands along the Black Sea. What’s more, with a range of two to five star hotels on sale, holidaymakers can soak up the Balkan sun in resorts such as Sunny Beach, Nessebar, Obzor and St Vlas.

Another flyer, Stanislav Yevetski, the Bulgarian actor best known for his role as Victor Krum in Harry Potter, helped the Bourgas announcement get off to a flying start by supporting the launch to his home country, Bulgaria.

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays’ second new destination for Summer 19 from Birmingham is Chania (Crete). In total there are more than 9,000 seats to the company’s second destination in Crete, in addition to Heraklion. This new route, which operates every Tuesday, gives holidaymakers access to the northwest coast of Crete, opening up blue flag beaches and historic sights in resorts such as Rethymnon, Aghia Marina, Chania Town, Kalyves, Stalos and Kolymbari.

The third brand new destination for Summer 19 from Birmingham is Izmir (Turkey), which has been added in response to the huge demand for value package holidays to Turkey. With almost 10,000 seats and services every Wednesday, holidaymakers have plenty of choice when it comes to accessing popular family friendly resorts on the west coast of Turkey such as Kusadasi, Cesme, Ozdere and Seferihisar. Jet2 says this brand new Turkish destination is expected to be extremely popular with holidaymakers looking for exceptional weather, great value, and fabulous cuisine with beautiful beaches and the Dilek National Park within easy reach.

To cater for the extra destinations, Jet2 is adding another Boeing 737-800 aircraft to its fleet at Birmingham Airport, taking the number of aircraft based there to 11 during the peak school holiday season.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “We are extremely excited about our Summer 19 programme from Birmingham Airport, which represents enormous growth in just our third summer of operations. The three fantastic brand new destinations announced today give holidaymakers even more choice with our award-winning airline and package holiday business, and mean a grand total of seven new destinations for customers from Birmingham Airport in Summer 19!

“The addition of flights to Bourgas means we will operate to Bulgaria for the first time, and with resorts such as Sunny Beach on sale, we are expecting it be hugely popular with local holidaymakers. Greece continues to attract holidaymakers in huge numbers, and this new route Chania in Crete opens up the north west of this beautiful island. Finally, Turkey continues to see huge demand, so we are opening up more resorts on the west coast of this fantastic country, by adding flights and holidays to Izmir. We are hugely excited about Summer 19 when we will have thousands of 2-5-star hotels and a fleet of aircraft full of happy holidaymakers enjoying the VIP customer service that Jet2.com and Jet2holidays delivers.”

Tom Screen, acting aviation director at Birmingham Airport, said: “It’s great to see Jet2.com and Jet2holidays expanding their choice of destinations for Summer 2019, showing their commitment to Birmingham Airport and the strength of our relationship with the airline.

“These routes offer something for everyone whether its fantastic beach resorts, stunning architecture or interesting cultural experiences passengers are looking for, these destinations have it all.”

Flights start from £69 one way including taxes from Birmingham Airport to Bourgas, and holidays from £319 per person, including a 22kg luggage allowance and return transfers.

Flights start from £69 one way including taxes from Birmingham Airport to Izmir, and holidays from £389 per person, including a 22kg luggage allowance and return transfers.

Flights start from £75 one way including taxes from Birmingham Airport to Chania, and holidays from £449 per person, including a 22kg luggage allowance and return transfers.

For further information visit www.jet2.com or www.jet2holidays.com.