Jet2 buys up Thomas Cook’s Manchester Airport slots

Budget airline Jet2.com has snapped up all the Manchester take-off and landing slots owned by Thomas Cook.

The historic travel company collapsed into liquidation in September with the loss of 9,000 jobs – 3,000 in Manchester.

Last month another 351 jobs at Manchester Airport were lost when ground handling firm Aviator shut down its operations there as a result of the Thomas Cook collapse.

Thomas Cook slots at London Gatwick and Bristol have been acquired by easyJet.

Steve Heapy, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays chief executive, said: “The acquisition of these key UK airport slots will play an important role in supporting our continued growth at Birmingham, London Stansted and Manchester Airports. We have been adding more flights and aircraft, resulting in increased capacity, at each of these bases for many years.”

“Today’s announcement is the latest demonstration of our commitment to providing holidaymakers with more choice and flexibility when it comes to flying to sun, city and ski destinations with our award-winning airline.”

Last month Hays Travel bought all Thomas Cook’s 555 retail outlets in a deal which has saved up to 2,500 jobs.

Further information on Jet2 and Jet2 Holidays at: https://www.jet2.com/ and https://www.jet2holidays.com/