Jet2.com ‘here to stay’ in Blackpool
Lancashire leisure travellers can continue to enjoy friendly low fares from their local airport following the ruling made by the High Court in London today that Blackpool Airport's "sudden and unilateral decision to refuse to honour Jet2.com's flights", was "a serious breach of contract".
His Honour Judge Mackie QC strongly backed Jet2.com’s case and upheld the contract – securing the future of Jet2.com’s low fares leisure flights to sun and city destinations from Blackpool. The verdict is great news for holidaymakers from Lancashire and secures the jobs of Jet2.com’s 70 strong team based at Blackpool Airport.
Blackpool International Airport is a great departure point for travellers from Lancashire due to its ease of access via the M65 and M6, and as the airport is small it makes for a leisurely start to any holiday.
To celebrate the ruling Jet2.com is putting flights on sale today to six destinations for summer 2012 from the recession beating price of £29.99 one way including taxes. The popular flights to Jersey and Belfast will be on sale later this week – totalling eight destinations for summer 2012.
For the first time, in 2012, Jet2.com will offer summer flights to the holiday favourite Tenerife – the airline has historically operated flights to the Canaries hot spot for the winter – the new summer flights will make this a year round route. The other destinations on sale from today are Alicante, Faro, Malaga, Majorca and Murcia. Flights for this summer and winter 2011/12 are already on sale and selling well.
Those who want the peace of mind of a package holiday can book with Jet2.com’s sister company - package holiday specialist Jet2holidays, which today launched great value package breaks for summer 2012 from Blackpool. Holidays start from just £299 per person for seven nights self catering, including resort transfers and 22kg baggage allowance – and can be secured for just £60 deposit. All Jet2holidays customers travel on Jet2.com flights and therefore enjoy allocated seats, friendly service and convenient flight times. What’s more, holidaymakers can save an additional £100 off their holiday if they book before 4th July 2011.
Philip Meeson, the boss of Jet2.com, is confident that today’s news will be well received by North West leisure travellers, Philip said: "This is a great victory for our customers – Jet2.com is here to stay! We are delighted that our commitment to Blackpool and our dedication to maintaining friendly low fares have been recognised by the Court. We look forward to a secure future of serving our customers from Blackpool International Airport – providing flights to a fantastic range of sun and city destinations at convenient flight times and all at friendly low fares."
Matters came to a head last October, when Blackpool Airport Limited (BAL) refused to accept two of Jet2.com's flights scheduled to arrive in Blackpool. The aircraft, carrying over 300 returning holidaymakers, many of which were families returning from half term holidays, were forced to divert to Manchester late in the evening. Blackpool Airport had also threatened to prevent Jet2.com from taking-off or landing outside of the Airport's published opening hours of 7am to 9pm, imposing restrictions which had never applied in the previous five and a half years that Jet2.com had operated from the airport.
His Honour Judge Mackie QC ruled that, "it cannot be intended that BAL should be able to pick and choose what to do in light of what suits it or Balfour Beatty financially". He also ruled that Blackpool Airport must, honour the initial contract clause to, use its best endeavours to promote Jet2.com's low cost services from the Airport. "Low cost" said the Judge "is of defining importance".
The Judge reached his conclusions after hearing 6 days of legal argument and live evidence of witnesses from both sides. Witnesses included Jet2.com Chief Executive, Philip Meeson and Managing Director, Ian Doubtfire, Blackpool Airport Director Paul Rankin and employees of BAL's 95% shareholder, a subsidiary of Balfour Beatty Plc.
Jet2.com has carried over 1 million passengers since its started flying from Blackpool in 2005. Jet2.com operates flights from 8 northern airports on its fleet of 38 aircraft.
For more information about Jet2.com flights and services visit: jet2.com