Leeds-based Jet2 said on Monday the latest Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) data published by the Civil Aviation Authority shows that Jet2holidays is now the UK’s largest tour operator, ahead of TUI UK.
Jet2holidays increased its ATOL licence for the year by over 500,000 to 5,859,600 passengers.
“This puts Jet2holidays over half a million passengers ahead of the nearest tour operator and comes in response to strong and continued demand from customers looking for the assurance of an award-winning Jet2holidays package,” said Jet2.
“In response to this demand, the UK’s leading tour operator has its biggest ever summer programme on sale this year, with over 15 million seats to choose from across more than 65 sun and leisure city destinations.
“On top of this huge summer programme the package holiday specialist, and leading leisure airline Jet2.com, have added capacity to a number of destinations in recent weeks as more customers look to book their well-deserved holidays to the sunshine with the package holiday provider.
“Today’s announcement is a major milestone for Jet2holidays, which launched in 2007 with a licence to carry just 23,000 passengers to 15 destinations.
“The announcement also comes in the same week that Jet2.com celebrates exactly 20 years since its first ever flight.”
Jet2holidays CEO Steve Heapy 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 and independent travel agents 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.”