London Gatwick Airport is set to significantly enhance its global reach with the launch of 12 exciting new holiday routes this summer, featuring eight new airlines. This expansion marks a major boost for the capital's second-largest airport, offering travelers more options to destinations across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and North America for the summer 2026 season.
New Airlines and Destinations Unveiled
Gatwick has revealed that a total of eight new carriers will operate from the Sussex hub, bringing fresh connectivity to 12 airports worldwide. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to increase the airport's offerings, with Gatwick set to provide over 230 destinations this summer—the highest number since 2019.
Key Highlights of the Expansion
The new routes include a mix of leisure and business destinations, catering to diverse traveler needs. Jet2 is expanding its London operations, adding a thrice-weekly service to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, bringing its total Gatwick routes to 29 for the summer season.
For long-haul travelers, Beijing Capital Airlines will launch a weekly service to Qingdao in China, taking advantage of recent relaxations in visa rules for British citizens. AirAsia X will introduce a daily service to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, while Air Transat will offer a three-times-per-week route to Ottawa, Canada.
In North Africa, Royal Air Maroc will operate twice-weekly flights to Tetouan, Morocco, and Air Arabia will provide 14 weekly services to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
European Routes Also Enhanced
The expansion isn't limited to intercontinental travel. Gatwick will also see new European services, including flights to Bucharest with Animawings, Paris with Air France, Cologne and Stuttgart with Eurowings, Frankfurt with Condor, and Aalborg with Norwegian. These additions aim to strengthen connections within Europe, offering more flexibility for short-haul trips.
Full List of New Gatwick Destinations for Summer 2026
- Bucharest, Romania – Animawings, launching March 22
- Tenerife, Spain – Jet2, launching March 26
- Paris, France – Air France, launching March 29
- Tetouan, Morocco – Royal Air Maroc, launching March 29
- Cologne, Germany – Eurowings, launching March 29
- Sharjah, UAE – Air Arabia, launching March 29
- Frankfurt, Germany – Condor, launching April 1
- Aalborg, Denmark – Norwegian, launching April 2
- Stuttgart, Germany – Eurowings, launching April 13
- Ottawa, Canada – Air Transat, launching May 15
- Qingdao, China – Beijing Capital Airlines, launching June 24
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – AirAsia X, launching June 26
This expansion positions Gatwick as a key player in London's aviation landscape, competing with other major hubs like Heathrow, Stansted, Luton, and City Airport. Notably, Stansted is also launching new routes this summer to destinations in France, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Spain, indicating a broader trend of growth in London's airport services.
The increased flight options are expected to benefit both leisure and business travelers, providing more choices for holidays and international connections. With these additions, Gatwick continues to solidify its reputation as one of Europe's leading airports, offering enhanced accessibility and convenience for passengers.
