Britain’s largest tour operator has announced it will launch flights and holidays from Gatwick airport.
Jet2 has secured slots for six aircraft "following the release of additional capacity" by the UK's second busiest airport.
The operator will base five Airbus A321neo aircraft at the West Sussex airport, with a further aircraft positioned overseas.
Its first Gatwick flight will depart to Tenerife, Spain, on March 26 next year.
Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2, said: "Today's announcement represents an incredibly exciting moment for Jet2.
"For many years, our ambition has been to provide our differentiated, service-led, end-to-end product offering from London Gatwick, and we see this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate our growth from the UK's largest beach and city leisure destination airport.
"We know all too well how much demand there is among customers and independent travel agents for us to operate our award-winning flights and holidays from London Gatwick, so it is fantastic to be able to share that we are here and ready to meet their travelling needs."
Gatwick will become the 14th UK airport with a Jet2 base.
Jet2’s summer schedule from Gatwick
• Fuerteventura – two weekly services (Wednesday and Sunday)
• Gran Canaria – two weekly services (Wednesday and Sunday)
• Lanzarote – two weekly services (Tuesday and Saturday)
• Tenerife – three weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday)
• Ibiza – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
• Majorca – 10 weekly services (Monday, 2 x Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 2 x Saturday and 2 x Sunday)
• Menorca – three weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
• Alicante – five weekly services (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
• Girona – three weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
• Malaga – four weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday)
• Reus – three weekly services (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)
• Faro (The Algarve) – ten weekly services (Monday, 2 x Tuesday, Wednesday, 2x Thursday, Friday, 2 x Saturday and Sunday)
• Antalya – three weekly services (Monday, Friday and Saturday)
• Corfu – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
• Crete (Heraklion) – two weekly services (Tuesday and Friday)
• Kalamata – one weekly service (Wednesday)
• Kefalonia – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
• Kos – two weekly services (Monday and Thursday)
• Halkidiki – two weekly services (Thursday and Sunday)
• Preveza – two weekly services (Wednesday and Saturday)
• Rhodes - two weekly services (Tuesday and Friday)
• Skiathos – one weekly service (Tuesday)
• Zante - one weekly service (Wednesday)
• Malta - two weekly services (Thursday and Sunday)
• Naples – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
The company is initially offering flights from Gatwick to 29 "sunshine destinations" in countries such as Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal and Italy.
It said more than 300 direct jobs will be created in the region around Gatwick across roles including pilots, cabin crew, engineering and ground operations, with an additional hundreds of indirect jobs also generated.
Gatwick chief executive Pierre-Hugues Schmit said: "We are thrilled to welcome Jet2 to London Gatwick, marking an exciting new chapter for the airport and our passengers.
"Jet2's arrival brings even more choice and flexibility to passengers across the South East and beyond, strengthening London Gatwick's vision to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey.
"It is an exciting time for Jet2 to join London Gatwick following the recent Government approval for routine use of our northern runway, which will further expand connectivity and economic growth.
"We are committed to delivering exceptional service and we look forward to supporting Jet2's growth and success here at London Gatwick."
Jet2 said its introduction to Gatwick gives it a "strong strategic foothold to benefit from future expansion" at the airport.
