I think Stansted is a definite winner, if you look at other airports like BHX, they have ZB, BE, FR, TOM, TCX, VY and now Jet2. Similar at many other airports they operate from incl. MAN and EMA. When you compare that to STN there isn't actually that level of competition. What they will have to go up against to some degree is a dominant FR, but with the right mix of routes and different dynamics (i.e: Jet2 Holidays) in my opinion would be good entry point for the SE market incl. London.

They also seem to be heavily in the media (on TV that is) down here in the south. Maybe it's about time?

I don't see anything to suggest that there will be more new bases next year..?

Might be wrong, but isnt establishing BHX going to use up a lot of resources anyway? There may well be plans for more expansion, but where and when may not have even been decided yet.

The fact that STN is a MAG airport could be influential in their decision.

Possibly not Pug, but the news article does state they wish to add additional UK departure points. Seems to be a large number of jobs to be created without any additional base openings really ?

There was also an article on the BBC I think on Tuesday where they stated they aim to open up additional European routes and additional UK basis

Over 400 of those jobs are MAN/LBA and with the new maintenance facility at MAN
you cab see why plus 4 extra aircraft at MAN as well




Ian

well remember, according to the press release, 200 of those jobs and 4 of those aircraft will be accounted for in the new BHX base for Summer 2017.


it will also be interesting to see what Jet2 have in store for BHX in W17/18 following this quote:


"Speaking to Ian Doubtfire, Business Development Director at Jet2.com and Jet2holidays on the day of the launch, anna.aero’s Editor Marc Watkins asked him about the decision to move into such a crowded market. “We’re starting destinations from Birmingham where we have a strong holiday product, with great hotels and support services on the ground, so it makes perfect sense for us.” Although introducing a four-aircraft base represents a huge slug of capacity for Birmingham, Doubtfire feels like there are other opportunities to be had. “This is just the start for us at Birmingham. First we have to sort out the W17/18 programme, but we will be certainly expanding here in the future.”
Jet2.com announces Birmingham base

Consequently, I'd like to think a few more aircraft and jobs will also be coming to BHX in the next 12 months...

4 aircraft crews will account for around the 100 mark

Ian

With Glasgow getting 80 new staff members does that imply two additional aircraft?

The big rumour at the moment is STN with 5 based aircraft for 2017 rising in 2018 to over 10 based. But who knows really?

Not sure but would 90 new jobs hint at a 8th based A/C in 2017 ?

STN would be the logical next step IMO. I don't see what use CWL would be when clearly expansion is focused on the largest conurbations.

If STN is to become the next Jet2 base, after that further options are limited if the airline wants to cover the entire country.

Others have already pointed out the pros for CWL: it is underserved in many of the popular sun routes (especially), and the fact that the Wales government has provided its airport with a multi-million pound routes 'war chest' loan might also be a positive factor.

If Jet2 did go to CWL a two-aircraft base would seem to be a likely beginning. bmi baby showed there was and no doubt still is a market for sun routes, but this would obviously lead Jet2 into competition with Vueling which itself has gradually increased its summer sun route frequencies, as well as with TUI and Thomas Cook.

Jet2 would still be missing out on the generally well-off West Country market but might judge that existing airlines at BRS have the market there covered and, anyway, they might be able to attract some passengers from there to their new BHX and CWL (if it came) bases.

It might be worthwhile looking at what the Jet2 CEO is actually quoted as saying which is: "We have exciting plans to expand the number of destinations we fly to, as well as the number of UK bases we fly from, and this means that our team is growing all the time too."

Given that airlines and airports are arguably better than Shane Warne when it comes to spin, the allusion to expanding the number of UK bases might simply mean BHX, which has been announced but not yet started, and an as yet unannounced base which many believe to be Stansted.

If they intend going beyond that I would certainly not bet against CWL.

Given its origins as Channel Express, is there a chance that BOH could be on the cards as a base ?

As well as the national press release, there's clearly been regional press releases/briefings as follows:

1.MAN - 300

300 new jobs created by Jet2 at Manchester Airport - Manchester Evening News


2.BFS - 50

Jet2.com to create 50 new jobs in Belfast - Belfast Live


3.GLA - 80

Budget airline Jet2 to create 80 pilot and cabin crew jobs


4.LBA - 135

Jet2.com set to create 1,000 jobs - Yorkshire Evening Post


5.NCL - 90

Newcastle jobs created by Jet2 as part of UK drive to fill 1,000 roles - Chronicle Live


6.EDI - 80

Jet2.com are recruiting | The Edinburgh Reporter


7.EMA - 80

Pilot and cabin crew roles among 80 jobs created by Jet2.com at East Midlands Airport | Derby Telegraph

Adds upto 815 plus 200 for BHX??

MerchantVenturer, the CEO has said in various presentations that the focus on growth is to 'secure the fort' before moving on elsewhere. BHX is the first new base in many years. I am in no doubt that there will be a new base at some point - when I'm not sure, they keep understandably tight lipped - but another big base near London would seem to be a key strategic move. Therefore, I fully believe any new base would be somewhere in the South East. STN would fit that bill.

Jet2 are now becoming a major player in the UK, the fleet is certainly one of the largest now. I think the days of growth into smaller, secondary airports is over. There could be some surprises, but I've no idea where the CWL rumour came from...?

Pug there's a rumour doing the rounds at CWL that a loco is coming next summer. It is only a rumour and nothing said whether it's a base or increased offering from VY or FR etc. It is only a rumour with nothing substantiated.

Just trying to do a bit of digging on the STN rumour
And thought I would take a look at Jet2 careers on the jet2 website to see if anything was listed for Stansted but the only London airport in the drop down list was Luton !
However no jobs were listed.

Great news continues for Jet 2. Last year it was doom and gloom from pilots stating there would be issues in summer 2016. Not seen much of that. Good luck to them for the future

There have been plenty of issues, though people have generally been getting on with the job regardless. I've had plenty of changes on my roster.