Yorkshire leisure airline Jet2.com has revealed growth and investment plans in the region, including bringing its call centre operations to Leeds and building a new state-of-the-art Training Academy.

The carrier expects these two latest developments to generate over 80 new jobs for local people. In total Jet2.com has created 525 new roles in Yorkshire. 

Philip Meeson, boss of Jet2.com, said: “The heart of our business very much remains in Yorkshire so it’s fantastic to be able to announce further expansion in the region, providing even more jobs for this talented local workforce.”

Jet2.com’s call centre will move from South Africa into the company’s new 71,000 sq ft headquarters at The Mint in Leeds on 20th October 2013.  Together with existing call centre staff, a total of 200 people will be on hand to provide friendly and seamless support to both Jet2.com and Jet2holidays customers.

In addition, a new purpose built £9 million Jet2.com Training Academy signals further investment in Bradford.  Based on the Euroway Industrial Estate, this bespoke facility is another first for the region.  It will house three flight simulators plus a unique cabin crew trainer unit to provide a quality training experience for both new recruits and existing pilots and crew across its eight UK bases.  Building will commence over the next couple of months with the aim to have the academy ready for spring 2014.

“Centralising our call centres in the city and developing our own purpose built training academy for our pilots and cabin crew is an investment in the future of our business, as we continue to grow.  This year is set to be another successful year for us. Across our eight UK bases we are expecting to fly 5.5 million passengers to and from 61 destinations.

“These further developments clearly demonstrate our commitment to giving people the best possible service and great value flights and holidays to the Mediterranean, Canaries and top European cities.”  Meeson added.

More than 1,500 Jet2 staff are based in the Leeds area, with 3,000 employees in the north overall.