Airline’s growth takes off with new Boeing aircraft
AIRLINE Jet2.com, part of Leeds-based Dart Group, has welcomed home the first of 30 ‘next generation’ 737-800 aircraft from Boeing, which it says is a “major milestone” for its growth and development strategy.
The new aircraft, which seats 189 passengers, was handed over to Jet2.com and Jet2holidays at a ceremony at Boeing’s Seattle Delivery Centre in the United States.
The aircraft will come into operation in the next few weeks, and is the first of 30 new 737-800 aircraft to be delivered over the next two years. The aircraft have an approximate list price of $2.9bn, however the company says it has negotiated “significant discounts” from this price.
The 30 new aircraft will support the ongoing growth at Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, which has seen the company launch its biggest ever flights and holidays programme for 2017, and recently announce almost 1,000 roles in pilot, cabin crew and engineering positions to support its growth.
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.
Steve Heapy, chief executive at Jet2.com & Jet2holidays said, “The arrival of these new aircraft to our successful fleet is a huge milestone in the history of Jet2.com & Jet2holidays and demonstrates how committed we are to investing in growing our business and providing more choice, comfort and quality than ever before to our passengers. As we continue to flourish and fly millions of holidaymakers to more destinations than ever before, these new aircraft will help us to increase our capacity and fulfil our growth ambitions.
“We have recently been voted the best UK airline by users of TripAdvisor and Skytrax, and these aircraft, alongside our continued focus on great service, fabulous locations and cost effective prices will only help us continue building on this success. With an enhanced cabin interior, these comfortable new aircraft mean that we are continuing to develop a great product that delivers in line with our family friendly ethos.”
The delivery is the latest stage in the growth story of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays since flights began from Leeds Bradford Airport in 2003.
