It's a fallacy that the North is cheaper. Sure there are cheap places in the North, but not where any of the Jet2 bases are - because airport catchment areas tend to be reasonably expensive. The area to the north of Leeds to Harrogate and across towards York is one of the most expensive places to live in the UK. Same with parts of Manchester and Edinburgh. Sure you could live in a **** hole next to dodgy schools, but who is going to accept that. Why should you accept that?
Jet2 can get away with it because it is supply and demand. A lot of airlines which fly the same equipment as Jet2 have gone bust in recent years. However I know quite a few guys who have got 70% contracts in their hands for a next year start who have started with Norwegian or Monarch recently, or are about to start, and can't be bothered to tell Jet2 to shove it. I guess there will be quite a few empty courses come next year. So, there will be openings I'm sure.