Jet2 to extend programme to Menorca
Jet2 will extend its summer season in Menorca by starting its programme to the Spanish island a month early next year after winning support of hoteliers, the tourist board and business leaders.
The airline and package holiday operator said it had seen demand for holidays to Menorca earlier in the season, and launching its programme on April 5 will mean customers will be able to spend Easter on the island.
The operator will provide flights from Birmingham, Manchester and Stansted, operating a total of 26 additional return flights and 10,000 more seats.
Jet2 said it had met with Menorca hoteliers and representatives from the tourist board and promised to ‘achieve the best results’ outside the peak season.
CEO Steve Heapy said: "As well as being a firm favourite with holidaymakers during the peak summer holiday period, Menorca is a destination that is attracting more and more customers in the shoulder seasons.
"With stunning natural beauty, secret beaches, historic architecture and a wealth of culture on offer, we know these April services will be extremely popular with customers who want to visit Menorca earlier in the season and for Easter.
"Today’s announcement is further evidence of our commitment to this fantastic destination and is living proof that we are not just working to fill hotels in the peak summer season but that we are working with hoteliers and the Tourist Board to achieve the best possible results in shoulder seasons too.
"We will continue to stick to these principles so that we can continue flying happy holidaymakers to Menorca on a package holiday they can trust."
Menorca tourism minister Maite Salord said: "Jet2.com and Jet2holidays’ commitment to advance operations by a month in 2020 demonstrates its confidence in Menorca as a tourist destination, a confidence that has been demonstrated year after year to the point of becoming one of the British operators with the largest share of business on the island.
"Undoubtedly, this decision is an important step towards achieving the desired deseasonalization, a priority goal for Menorca for the economic and social benefits it brings to the island.
"I have to admit that none of this would have been possible without the active involvement of the Menorcan businessmen who have led the commitment and the joint work. The united efforts and the great predisposition of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have been decisive for Menorca in improving its spring 2020 activity."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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