Jet2.com fly high at Newcastle with five new route launches

Friendly low fares airline Jet2.com today signalled further investment into the North East, with the announcement of its summer 2011 schedule – which will see no less than five new direct routes launched from Newcastle International Airport - and will establish Jet2.com as the carrier to offer the widest range of international routes from the airport.

Jet2.com’s new services will include the only flights to city destinations Krakow, Prague and Toulouse from the North East, as well as popular holiday hotspots Alicante and Faro - and brings the total number of destinations served by Jet2.com to an impressive 24.

What’s more, services to Prague will commence as early as November 2010, ensuring holiday makers in the North East will be able to take advantage of the city’s famous Christmas Markets and festive offerings.

Airline bosses will also add an extra 737 to the fleet in May 2011, bringing the total number of aircraft to 5, to service the additional routes – as passenger growth is expected to swell by a whopping 40 per cent in 2011. The addition of the 737 will also signal an extra 150,000 seats available for holiday makers in the North East, bringing the total number to a massive 500,000. An additional 30 new jobs for airline crew will be created by the extension of Jet2.com’s services, who now employ over 150 staff based locally at the airport.

All routes are available to book from today for departures from November 2010, with incredible starting fares from £29.99 one way including taxes or from £199 for great value package tours through sister company, Jet2holidays.

New Jet2.com and Jet2Holidays routes and starting fares from Newcastle International Airport for summer 2011 are:

• PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC from £29.99 one way including taxes, starting 5th November 2010 for from £199 for a three-night, bed and breakfast package holiday with Jet2holidays

• KRAKOW, POLAND from £29.99 one way flight-only including taxes, starting 28 March 2011 or from £199 for a three-night, bed and breakfast package holiday with Jet2holidays

• ALICANTE, COSTA BRAVA from £29.99 flight-only one way including taxes, starting 1 April 2011 or from £249 for a seven-night, self catering package holiday with Jet2holidays

• FARO, ALGARVE from £29.99 flight-only one way including taxes, starting 2 April 2011 or from £259 for a seven-night, self catering package holiday with Jet2holidays

• TOULOUSE, FRANCE from £29.99 one way flight-only including taxes, starting 22 May 2011.

In addition to the new routes, further services will be added to existing summer 2011 schedules to holiday favourites including Ibiza, Mahon, Malaga, Tunisia, Murcia and Palma.

Ian Doubtfire, Managing Director at Jet2.com said, “Due to significant regional demand in the North East for Jet2.com flights, we are thrilled to be able to launch five new routes for summer 2011 including three brand new routes for the region in Prague, Toulouse and Krakow.

Our strong partnership with Newcastle International Airport means we are able to give our passengers greater choice, low fares, a generous baggage allowance of 22kg, and friendly flight times to a host of popular and new destinations. Our continued growth reflects that our winning formula is working and I’m proud to say that Jet2.com now offers the widest range of routes out of Newcastle and the North East. I would personally like to thank everyone from the region for their continued support and we look forward to welcoming more and more passengers on-board to establish Jet2.com as the North-East’s favourite airline.”

Dave Laws, Chief Executive of Newcastle International added: “Our partnership with Jet2.com goes from strength to strength. We are delighted with the five additional routes Jet2.com will be operating, combining popular holiday, and city break and business destinations. It is great to get Prague and Krakow back, and particularly pleasing to secure Toulouse for the first time from Newcastle.”

Meanwhile Steve Heapy, Managing Director at Jet2Holidays commented: “I am delighted that we will be able to provide yet more of our outstanding value packages from Newcastle International Airport – this is great news for the people of the North East who now have even more choice of great holiday destinations. I would encourage customers to plan their 2011 escape nice and early and take advantage of our great value fully bonded ABTA and ATOL package deals.”