Is Jet2 the perfect partner for British Airways?

This piece is all opinion base - please don't take this as fact or as a given that this will happen

With British Airways reporting to end most of its short haul operation from London Gatwick - a number of slots would become available. Whilst the low cost carriers are looking for a presence at the UK's second busiest airport, British Airways are probably reluctant to allow these carriers to grow in what would be competition to BA's Heathrow operation and Vueling's Gatwick operation. One airline could be the answer for British Airways - Jet2.

Jet2 have been expanding rapidly in the UK. In 2017, the leisure operator launched bases in Birmingham and London Stansted and in 2021 launched its 10th base at Bristol. This has shown clear intent to grow in Southern England and to become a UK wide carrier, after growing from Northern England in the 2000s. Gatwick presents the perfect opportunity for Jet2 and one British Airways would probably not mind supporting.

Jet2 are known to be a customer friendly airline and fairly stable in terms of alterations to its network and its communication with the public. They have grown in support during the COVID-19 pandemic due to their response and communication. Additionally, their network is predominately holiday base - which is not the predominant function of BA. BA have a small Holidays division but are predominately hub and spoke, connecting European passengers onto long haul flights, whilst its Gatwick operation is predominately leisure based for long haul. Jet2's short haul leisure operation could complement British Airways' existing Heathrow and Gatwick operations.

Additionally, British Airways will be reluctant for low cost carriers to grow at Gatwick. easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air will want to grow at Gatwick but they provide competition with British Airways on their existing European operation. Stopping these carriers by working with Jet2 could therefore work for both carriers - Jet2 to grow their network and BA to limit competition.

A partnership between Jet2 and British Airways could be done through a shareholding agreement or through the lease/purchasing of slots. British Airways may want to hold onto their slot portfolio and having a shareholding agreement would allow them to lease the slots to Jet2 without them losing control at Gatwick. However, Jet2 are a stable company in itself and may not want to have British Airways as a shareholder - therefore, a lease agreement of the slots may be an option.

If the partnership was to work, Jet2 could base 12-14 aircraft at London Gatwick. With a shuffling of slots, BA could work with their sister airlines Vueling and Aer Lingus to launch flights to the likes of Amsterdam, Rome and Belfast - covering the core of the slots and reducing the risk to BA's Heathrow route performance.

This is all speculative, however, could provide an opportunity for the UK's second largest tour operator to have a major presence in the UK's second largest airport and open its 11th base in its network. Whether this happens or not - we wait and see.

Photo:
https://www.jet2.com/News/Statement__Bookings_see_immediate_spike_following_travel_update/