Leisure carrier Jet2.com has purchased Thomas Cook’s slots at a trio of regional UK hubs: Birmingham, London Stansted and Manchester Airports.
In a statement Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said the acquisition will “play an important role” in supporting the airline’s growth at the three airports.
He continued: “We have been adding more flights and aircraft, resulting in increased capacity, at each of these bases for many years. Today’s announcement is the latest demonstration of our commitment to providing holidaymakers with more choice and flexibility when it comes to flying to sun, city and ski destinations with our award-winning airline.”
Manchester and London Stansted Airports are both owned and operated by Manchester Airports Group (MAG). A MAG spokesman said: “We are pleased to see Jet2.com’s plans for continued growth at Manchester and London Stansted Airports, after they acquired Thomas Cook slots from the liquidator. Jet2.com’s growth will result in more flights, more aircraft and more choice for passengers as they look to book their holidays for next year.”
The airline has recently been expanding capacity and destinations in its route network, announcing summer flights to Innsbruck from Birmingham and Manchester Airports for Summer 2020, as well as adding two new Greek destinations from next summer (Lesvos and Peloponnese) from Manchester and London Stansted.
Meanwhile, the airport slots at London Gatwick and Bristol Airport belonging to Thomas Cook have been sold to easyJet.
