BUSINESS NEWS


Jet2 is to start flying from


Gatwick next summer; Travel Republic is to be closed by parent dnata Travel Group


A tale of two businesses: Jet2 and Travel Republic


Analysis: Why does one keep expanding but the other is to fold, asks Ian Taylor Similarly, dnata’s announcement


Two near simultaneous announcements last week by Jet2 and dnata Travel Group appeared to mark a significant moment in the evolution of the UK outbound travel sector. Jet2’s confirmation that it will open


a base at Gatwick for summer 2026 was no surprise. The move had been on the cards since the airline opened a base at Stansted in March 2017. The timing was dictated by sufficient slots at Gatwick becoming available, but successive years of record bookings will have made the decision a simple one.


56 20 NOVEMBER 2025


that Travel Republic and Netflights are to close was no real surprise. The Emirates subsidiary had


confirmed it was reviewing the UK businesses, “exploring strategic options”, in early September. Clearly, it could not find a buyer. At one time, Travel Republic had


appeared to represent the sector’s future. When dnata acquired the online agent in December 2011, Travel Republic boasted more than two million customers a year. Dnata hailed the purchase as one


that would allow it to grow online. Travel Republic’s then managing director, Kane Pirie, claimed the deal “will help accelerate our growth”. It did not pan out like that.


Travel Republic’s growth since its 2003 launch had been based on selling dynamically packaged holidays – bookings which were then unregulated. The CAA attempted to close the loophole by prosecuting Travel Republic and Pirie – and failed.


Continued on page 54 travelweekly.co.uk


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