It follows the launch of Stansted as Jet2.com’s ninth base last September, just two months after confirming that it would operate from Birmingham.
Stansted has become the company’s fourth-largest base, with 96 weekly flights at peak season.
The additional bases cement a change in model for Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, which have previously focused their efforts on flying from airports in the north of the UK.
Steve Heapy, the brands’ chief executive, said he was delighted with the support independent agents had shown in “getting behind” the new routes and holidays from Stansted and Birmingham.
“We are very committed to working with independent agents,” Heapy told TTG.
He referenced decisions by both Cook and Tui in the past few months to end their commercial agreements, which had allowed their agents to sell Jet2holidays product.
“The impact of that on our business has been very small,” he insisted.
Asked about recruitment, he said: “We have already hired on-the-road sales team staff for Stansted and Birmingham, and we’re looking at recruiting another couple to help them.
“Independent agents have been a great support and are one of the reasons all of our flights are full today [launch day]. I would like to thank them.”
He also highlighted the success of Jet2holidays’ mobile agencies and said they would continue “indefinitely”.
Heapy added that sales for both new bases were “encouraging” for summer, while for winter they were “in line with expectations”.
He said there would be announcements about the summer 2018 programme in the coming weeks.
Asked whether he expected an impact on the business from the triggering of Article 50 [the formal commencement of the UK leaving the European Union] last week, Heapy admitted there would be “challenges”.
“Brexit will present a number of challenges to the aviation industry,” he said. “We have stated our position to the government very robustly to make sure the voice of the industry is heard and our interests are represented. We will continue to lobby very hard.
“But we live on a cold, wet island and people want to get away for a few days or weeks of sun. If we provide best-in-class customer service, we’ve got a business model that will see us through the challenges [Brexit] will present.”
Meanwhile, Heapy would not be drawn on whether Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have their sights set on further UK bases.
“We are focusing our efforts on providing the best holiday and flight experiences. In terms of airports, we’re focused on the current nine,” he said.
