The boss of Jet2 said the company started recruiting more staff back in September to cater for rising demand – so it has not been forced to axe flights this summer, unlike many rivals.
Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, told a Travel Weekly webcast that its programme is “the right size” and won’t need to take advantage of the government’s slot amnesty to make capacity cuts.
“People have not been on holiday for three years; there was enormous pent-up demand which is why we anticipated a bounce-back from February – we thought it would be a big bounce-back; that is why we prepared for it,” he said.
“When you hear some companies say they did not anticipate the volume, well, that’s a bit stupid, isn’t it?
“You know that people have not had a holiday in three years. You know that people want a holiday. You know that people live in a country where the weather is rubbish and they want to go abroad.”
He was speaking on the final day of the short amnesty (July 7), which has allowed airlines to relinquish landing and take-off slots without financial penalties as part of the government’s strategy to tackle the problems of cancellations at airports, caused largely by staff shortages.
His comments also came after Jet2 announced it had trimmed its annual operating losses and increased its Atol licence from 3.8 million to 4.656 million, thanks to better-than-expected sales.
Carriers such as British Airways, Tui and easyJet have been cancelling flights but Heapy pledged Jet2.com won’t cut services due to a lack of workers.
“We started recruiting last September. Some other companies perhaps started when the bounce-back happened and are behind the curve,” he said.
“We are in a good place. People can book a Jet2 flight and Jet2holidays with confidence that it will be delivered.
“Our programmes are stable; we’re very happy with where we are right number of colleagues.”
However, he said the company’s operations are being affected by third-party companies at airports which are under-staffed – causing problems such as security queues, fewer shops being open, and a lack of onboard catering.
Although Jet2.com has its own baggage handlers, it has seen its staff dealing with luggage for other companies in order for its own customers’ bags to come through.
“There are lots of things in the system, clogging things up,” he told the webcast.
More: Jet2 started recruiting in September to cope with bounceback
Jet2holidays closes gap on Tui as it increases Atol licence
Jet2 offering ‘right product for tougher times’ despite impact of disruption