Jet2 PLC (AIM:JET2) said it will begin to schedule flights from London Gatwick Airport for the first time from next March.
This will expand its UK network to 14 airports, with Gatwick bringing a catchment area of up to 15 million potential customers.
The owner of Jet2 Holidays has secured slots for six aircraft at Gatwick, including five Airbus A321neo jets.
Chief executive Steve Heapy said: “Today’s announcement represents an incredibly exciting moment for Jet2... we see this as a once in a generation opportunity to accelerate our growth from the UK’s largest beach and city leisure destination airport.”
Jet2 expects the new base to require higher investment in the short term, including promotional and start-up costs during the remainder of FY26. In FY27, three short-term leased aircraft will be redeployed to support operations, ahead of their replacement by new A321neos in FY28.
The company anticipates the Gatwick operation will become profitable in FY29, contributing to longer-term earnings growth.
Shares in Jet2 were up 0.5% at 1,322p early on Wednesday morning.