Channel Express operated Freight and Charter flights during the 24 years before Jet2 came into being in 2002.

Jet2 was Channel Express' venture into the Low Cost Airline business.

Leeds/Bradford was chosen as the launch base for Jet2.

The first flight operated in February 2003.

Since then, route and fleet expansion has been ongoing, introducing the larger Boeing 757 in 2005. Also adding Manchester as it 2nd major base and adding Belfast, Blackpool, Newcastle and Edinburgh as sub bases.

The whole Channel Express entity now operates under the Jet2 business.

Jet2 is headed by Philip Meeson and is owned by The Dart Group Plc.

Jet2 employs around 1350 staff.