THE boss of Jet2 has revealed a new mid-haul winter sun destination that they could soon launch flights to.
The tour operator – the largest in the UK – currently flies as far as Cyprus, taking around five hours.
However such as new holidays could soon launch in Egypt.
Jet2‘s Steve Heapy said at a recent conference that they were focusing on launching new bases in destinations such as Morocco.
But Egypt as a new destination was “on the list they were looking at,” Travel Weekly reports.
Just an hour further than Cyprus, Egypt is one of the most affordable destinations Brits can visit for winter sun when flying mid-haul.
Destinations like El Gouna are known for their cheap five-star hotels, while Hurghada is full of beach resorts where temperatures remain above 20C in December.
If Jet2 launches the new holidays, it would be taking on TUI who currently have packages to both Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada.
And Mr Heapy said they “haven’t ruled out” launching long-haul flights in the future either.
He explained it was a “complicated and expensive” process due to pilot shift rotas requiring more work.
However, he said aircraft were capable of longer flights.
He added: “Possibly one day we’ll do it. I’m not saying we will, I’m not saying we won’t.”
Jet2 previously flew to New York, with seasonal routes operated from airports such as Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle back in 2008.
The themed city break trips including for Thanksgiving tours, Christmas shopping and New Year’s Eve events.
These were suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic, and have not yet returned.
However, the longer flight routes that could one day launch are more likely to be across destinations in Africa, such as Cape Verde.
It comes after Jet2 announced new flights launching next year to three new Greek islands.
A number of airports in the UK have revealed plans to start long haul flights too.
Bristol Airport wants to offer longer flights as part of a huge runway expansion, to destinations in both US the the Middle East.
Once operating flights to New York, the longest current flight is to Cape Verde, around six hours.
And Leeds Bradford Airport has also suggested new long haul flights to North America and places like Dubai in the next three years.
