JET2HOLIDAYS has been named the UK’s largest tour operator, after it celebrated a milestone.
The latest ATOL data published by the Civil Aviation Authority shows Jet2holidays is now the UK’s largest tour operator, after increasing its ATOL licence for the year by more than 500,000 to 5,859,600 passengers. This puts Jet2holidays more than half a million passengers ahead of the nearest tour operator.
It is a major milestone for Jet2holidays, which launched in 2007 with a licence to carry just 23,000 passengers to 15 destinations.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2holidays said: “Becoming the UK’s largest tour operator is a significant milestone in the history of Jet2holidays, but it will not change a single thing that we do.
“Our continued success is because we have the best team in the industry who work tirelessly to look after our customers, and we will never lose sight of that fundamental principle.
“The loyalty of customers has been integral to our growth and success, so on behalf of everyone at Jet2holidays, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to every single one of them for their continued support and helping us get to this position today.
“I can promise we will repay that faith by continuing to focus on doing the same thing every single day, which is delivering the VIP customer service that seen us enjoy this success.”
The announcement also comes in the same week that Jet2.com celebrates 20 years since its first flight.
In February 2003, Jet2.com welcomed its first passengers. To mark the 20th anniversary, Jet2.com hosted a birthday-themed celebration with customers and colleagues on Sunday, February 12, including 40 colleagues also celebrating their 20th anniversary with the airline. The morning of celebration was held at the company’s first base, Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA), where exactly 20 years ago yesterday its first flight departed to Amsterdam.
Passengers flying with the airline from Leeds Bradford Airport received a VIP customer experience at check-in. Three lucky people who were also celebrating their birthday on the same day received a pair of free return flights.
The lucky customers included Peter Melling from York who was travelling to Portugal, Joanne Withers from Pontefract who was travelling to Lanzarote, and Margaret Wood from Knaresborough who was travelling to Malaga.
From LBA alone, Jet2.com has carried more than 27 million customers since 2003. Its growth has seen the company grow the number of employees in Yorkshire from 80 to over 3,200.
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