Published 3rd Sep 2026, 09:05 BST
The company said that more than 90 per cent of UK residents live within a 90-minute drive of one of Jet2’s 14 bases, and group revenue is increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 19 per cent.
“To reflect this track record of growth, the board has agreed that now is the right time to move to the Main Market,’’ the statement said.
“The company intends for admission to occur before the end of its current financial year and will provide updates as appropriate in due course.”
In a trading statement, Jet2 said summer 2026 seat capacity is 7.6 per cent higher than summer 2025 at 19.9m seats, with booked-to-date passengers up 8.8 per cent and growth achieved across both package holiday and flight-only products.
The statement added: “Customers have continued to book closer to departure throughout the peak summer period and, encouragingly, the combined booked average load factor to the end of August was 1.5ppts ahead of the prior year, reflecting disciplined capacity management, targeted investment in load factor and underpinned by attractive pricing.
“Our London Gatwick operation continues to perform ahead of our initial expectations, supported by a stronger-than-expected package holiday mix.
“Building on this encouraging start, we have increased the number of aircraft on sale from Gatwick to seven for summer 2027 as we continue to execute our strategic growth plans in the South of England.”
Looking ahead to winter 2026 to 2027, “which is at an early stage of its booking cycle”, on-sale seat capacity is 8.0 per cent higher than the previous winter at 5.9m seats, said the group. Jet2 said the increase was primarily concentrated into London Gatwick with the addition of 0.4m seats, “alongside disciplined growth across our more established bases of 0.6 per cent”.
“Early indications show similar booking trends to summer with passengers still booking closer to departure,’ it added. “Our fuel and foreign exchange hedging positions continue to provide significant protection for the current financial year, with 93 per cent of full year jet fuel requirement now hedged at an average price of $753 and over 90 per cent of foreign exchange also hedged, delivering a high degree of cost certainty.”
Steve Heapy, Jet2 plc Chief Executive Officer commented: “We have been encouraged by the sustained level of demand for both our holiday products through the peak summer season which gives us confidence for the remainder of the financial year.
“Jet2 is a business with strong foundations, a flexible and differentiated operating model and a trusted brand that continues to resonate with customers across the UK.
“Supported by a strong balance sheet and our ‘people, service, profits’ philosophy, we remain confident in our ability to deliver sustainable, long-term profitable growth and to be the UK’s leading and best leisure travel business.
“As the UK’s leading tour operator and third-largest airline, we also believe this is the right time to announce our intention to move to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, reflecting the scale of the business we have built, our proven track record of delivery and the opportunities that lie ahead.”