British leisure specialist Jet2 says it has seen a massive spike in bookings for skiing destinations for Easter. Following the response to last week's news that France would reopen its borders to vaccinated UK travelers, the airline has added several departures to Geneva in Switzerland from five UK airports. Furthermore, Jet2 will restart services to three airports in France this weekend.

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A return to 'normal'?

COVID-19 began its conquest of Europe with winter holidaymakers returning from ski resorts in the Alps in the early spring of 2020. Is returning demand for ski holidays then a sign of that, despite Omicron causing case numbers previously unseen during the pandemic, we are finally on the other side of the worst of it?

With the UK relaxing travel restrictions for vaccinated arrivals and other European countries softening their previously harsh stance against British travelers, low-cost leisure carrier Jet2 says it has increased flight capacity for Easter. In response to strong passenger demand, the airline is adding frequencies to Geneva, Switzerland, from Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, and London Stansted airports.

This weekend, the airline will also restart flights to Lyon, Chambery, and Grenoble, following last week's news that France would be reopening its borders to travelers from the UK. Furthermore, Jet2 is offering a 10% discount for all ski flights for the remainder of this winter and the 2022/2023 season if booked before February 7th.

Sharp and immediate spike

The news that France has relaxed its entry requirements for vaccinated UK travelers was cause for excitement with the operator and winter sports enthusiasts alike, creating a sharp rise in airline ticket bookings. Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 and Jet2 Holidays, said in a statement that it meant the travel industry could now look forward to the rest of 2022 with real confidence.

“This is the positive news that skiers and snowboarders have been looking forward to, and the spike in bookings for ski flights has been both sharp and immediate. The snow conditions in the French Alps are said to be excellent, meaning our customers are jumping at the chance to get back on the slopes. We know how much our customers want to get back to the French Alps and we are very pleased to be flying them there again from next weekend onwards," Heapy said in response to the news.

A spokesperson for the airline also shared with In The Snow that bookings were up over all of Jet2's eight ski destinations - Chambery, Geneva, Grenoble, Innsbruck, Lyon, Salzburg, Turin, and Barcelona (Andorra).

Have you planned to go skiing this year? Where to? How are you getting there? Leave a comment below and let us know.