Jerez Airport is set for a major revival in British tourism this year as UK flight operations are expected to more than double following a huge expansion by Jet2.

The airline, which resumed flights to Jerez earlier this month after its winter pause, is dramatically increasing its presence in the province during its second full year operating from the Andalucian airport.

According to estimates based on scheduled flights already on sale, Jet2 is expected to increase its annual operations from 160 flights in 2025 to 376 this year.

The number of seats available between Jerez and the UK will also jump from around 15,000 to more than 34,000.

The airline celebrated the start of its second summer season in Jerez on Friday with a reception for passengers arriving on a flight from London Stansted Airport, a route launched on May 1.

CEO of Jet2 Steve Heapy described the company’s first year in Jerez as ‘incredibly successful’ and insisted the airline remains ‘fully committed’ to the province.

‘Our arrival and the growth we have experienced in Jerez demonstrate Jet2’s strong commitment to tourism development across Spain, particularly at regional airports,’ he said in a statement.

For summer 2026, Jet2 will operate twice-weekly routes between Jerez and London Stansted, Manchester and Birmingham, alongside a weekly service from Leeds.

The expansion comes alongside the return of TUI flights from London Gatwick Airport, which resumed earlier this month with similar operations to last year.

Historically, British tourism has been the second-largest international market for Jerez Airport after Germany.

During its peak years between 2004 and 2006, the airport handled more than 1,000 annual flight operations with the UK, largely centred around London Stansted.

The latest recovery follows a major blow last year when Ryanair pulled out of Jerez in March amid an ongoing dispute with Spain’s airport operator Aena over airport fees.

The withdrawal sparked fears of a collapse in British tourism links to the province.

However, the agreement between Jet2 and the Junta de Andalucia, which runs until 2028, has allowed routes to expand beyond the traditional London and Manchester links.

As a result, airports such as Birmingham and Leeds are now connected directly to Jerez, helping restore passenger levels closer to those seen in 2017 and 2018, when more than 300 annual UK flight operations were recorded.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.