Jet2 reports surge in sales

The awful summer in the UK has had a beneficial effect on the profit margins of Leeds-based airline Jet2 as Brits flock abroad to catch some sun.

Proving popular is the Canary Islands and Jet2 now offers 26 flights per week to the destination from a range of northern airports such as Leeds/Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport.

Sales are currently "above where [Jet 2] anticipated this summer", according to Mandy Round, general manager of Jet2holidays.com and she added that package holidays are the order of the day.

Ms Round went on to say: "Early bookings figures indicate that there will be a knock-on effect for winter as families who have holidayed in the UK look for cheap winter deals to the sun to try to make up for the lack of sunshine and dry weather here."

Spain's two largest hotel groups, Sol Melia and Barcel have signed a deal with the budget airline so that holidaymakers travelling from Leeds/Bradford Airport and Manchester Airport will be provided with luxury accommodation at Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.