Jet2 reports ‘fast-moving’ late booking market after 6% rise in summer carryings

Jet2 continues to see a “fast-moving” late booking market while reporting record summer period passenger levels.

 

The UK’s largest tour operator saw carryings rise by 750,000 or 6% to 14.09 million in the six months to September 30 - representing 40% growth from a pre-pandemic level of 10.07 million.

 

Half-year pre-tax profits edged up by just 1% year on year to £800.3 million as group revenues rose by 5% to £5.3 billion “amidst as fast-moving late booking market.”

 

The average price of a Jet2holiday remained "resilient", increasing by 3% to £933 “as supply-led inflation increases were largely passed through to customers”. 

 

However, flight-only ticket yield per passenger sector fell by 7% “driven by promotional pricing initiatives which included targeted reallocation of marketing investment to optimise load factors in a competitive market”.

 

Jet2holidays is Atol-licensed for more than 7 million customers, representing more than 20% of total licences issued at October 1.    

 

The proportion of package holiday bookings made via the operator’s app increased by five percentage points to 31%.  

 

Winter 2025-26 capacity is 7.7% up on last year at 5.5 million seats “with the late booking profile experienced during summer 2025 continuing”. 

 

Seasonal group losses in the winter second half of the year “are to be expected” due to investment in additional aircraft to support 9% capacity growth for next summer, establishing a new base at Gatwick, marketing to optimise forward bookings, maintaining “appropriate” operational staff levels to ensure winter resilience and readiness for summer 2026 and recruiting new staff to support further growth.

 

Summer 2026 capacity growth is primarily focused at the new Gatwick base with more than 900,000 seats on sale.

 

The company said: “Whilst we know that consumers prioritise their hard-earned overseas holidays, we remain conscious of the economic backdrop. 

 

“Accordingly, we have chosen to exercise capacity discipline at our existing bases with measured growth of 3.9%.”

 

Total capacity of 20.1 million seats is about 8.9% higher than summer 2025, and 61% higher than the 2019 pre-pandemic capacity of 12.5 million. 

 

“Bookings at this very early stage are in line with management expectations,” Jet2 added.

 

Chief executive Steve Heapy said: "We are very pleased to report another record financial performance for the first half of the year, illustrating how our flexible operating model can adapt to changing consumer behaviour.

 

“Customers may be booking later, but it is clear they still want their well-earned holidays in the sun with a brand they can trust. 

 

“Our differentiated, service-led, end-to-end product offering continues to set us apart, delivering seamless, great-value experiences that ensure customers come back time and time again.”

 

He added: “As announced last week, we are thrilled to launch our award-winning customer first service from London Gatwick next year - a once in a generation opportunity to further accelerate our growth from the UK’s largest beach and city leisure destination airport.

 

“We believe the annual overseas holiday remains a cherished priority for many, often taking precedence over other discretionary spending even in uncertain economic times. 

 

“We continue to build loyalty by offering customers an extensive product range, highly flexible holiday options and exceptional customer service giving them the freedom to tailor their travel plans to suit their individual needs. 

 

“Our proven business model continues to deliver and this gives us confidence in our future growth prospects.”