Jet2.com marks landmark with new route to Saltzburg

LOW fare airline Jet2.com is launching a new route from Manchester Airport today on the same day that it celebrates carrying its 20 millionth passenger.

The company has now begun offering flights from Manchester to the Austrian city of Saltzburg – its tenth new route this year – and it intends to base two new planes at the airport.

Jet2.com has now operated flights from Manchester for five years and expects more than 1m passengers to fly from the venue for the first time this year.

Ian Doubtfire, managing director of Jet2.com, said that its passenger capacity was now up 27% on last year.

He said: “This year is very important for us at Manchester and marks another milestone in our history.

“Ten brand new routes from Manchester, two new aircraft and a projected one million passengers this year are some fantastic stats that underline our growth and commitment to this airport.

“2010 marks five years of operations from this base and I am confident that it is due to be one of our best ever.”

The company is also unveiling an upgraded fleet of planes which will feature ergonomically designed seating which are lighter than traditional seats helping it to save on fuel costs.

Mr Doubtfire intended to be present at the check-in stand today to welcome Manchester couple – Keith and Julia Moffat – the 20 millionth passengers to fly on one of Jet2.com’s planes.

They will be given complimentary return tickets to each of the 29 destinations served by Jet2.com from Manchester Airport.

He said: “Welcoming our 20 millionth passenger on-board  gives us a huge cause for celebration and really is a significant step in the history of the airline which launched only eight years ago.

“It has been a tough couple of years for the travel industry but I am proud to say that we have continued to go from strength to strength and reaching our 20 million passenger landmark really demonstrates this.”

Since the start of the year, Jet2.com has begun operating new routes to Prague, Dubrovnik, Madeira, Reus, Kos, Tunisia, Split, Gran Canaria, Venice and now Salzburg with fares starting from just £29.99 one way including taxes.

Ryanair has also announced today that it intends to offer a new twice weekly service from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (JLA) to Trapani on the Italian island of Sicily. Liverpool JLA now serves seven Italian destinations.