Greece is tightening its grip on the British travel market, and it is doing so the old-fashioned way: more seats, more routes, and deeper relationships with the people who actually sell the holidays.
That was the clear message from the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) ‘s recent participation in dedicated events hosted by EasyJet and Jet2, two of the most influential tour operators in the United Kingdom, as planning for the 2026 season accelerates.
The goal was not spectacle, but substance: keeping the British market up to date on the Greek tourism product—both nationally and at destination level—at a time when Mediterranean competition is increasingly intense.
EasyJet doubles down on Greece
The “EasyJet Holidays Christmas Market”, held in Luton on November 26, 2025, brought together 300 executives from EasyJet Holidays and EasyJet. For the first time, all operational departments of the company were able to engage directly with destinations and suppliers.
Key takeaways from the event included:
- 27 partners presenting their products, including hotel groups such as Ikos, Grecotel, Hilton, and Hyatt
- National tourism organisations from Greece, Cyprus, Tunisia, and Malta
- Strong interest in Greek destinations, particularly from call-centre staff seeking details on:
- climate conditions
- ferry connections
- destination suitability for different customer profiles
Behind the polite questions lies a simple reality: Greece remains easy to sell.
The numbers confirm it.
- Summer 2025:
- EasyJet increased its capacity to Greece by 14.3%
- 3.1 million seats from the UK to Greek destinations
- EasyJet Holidays:
- Market share up 12%
- Winter 2025–2026:
- New routes:
- London → Thessaloniki
- Bristol → Athens
- Edinburgh → Athens
- New routes:
Looking ahead, Greece is the top destination in EasyJet Holidays’ new Luxury Collection for 2026, with 21 hotels already available.
Jet2 strengthens its footprint
On December 4, 2025, Jet2 hosted “A Night with the Stars” in Leeds, an internal training and recognition event attended by 1,000 staff members from across the company.
The GNTO was represented by:
- Eleni Skarveli, Head of the UK & Ireland Office
- Angela Tzifa, Deputy Head
The Municipality of Skiathos also participated, reinforcing the island’s profile within Jet2’s strategy.
The timing matters. Jet2 remains:
- the largest tour operator to Greece, and
- the second-largest airline in the UK market, after Ryanair
Current Jet2 presence in Greece includes:
- 25 Greek destinations
- 121 routes
- 1,600+ hotels
For 2026, Jet2 expands further, adding:
- Samos
- Olympian Riviera (Pieria)
- Meganisi
Gatwick changes the map
The most strategic move, however, is Jet2’s new base at London Gatwick, launching in March 2026.
From Gatwick, Jet2 will operate flights to 29 destinations, significantly improving access to Greece for British travellers.
Greek destinations served from Gatwick will include:
- Corfu
- Heraklion
- Kalamata
- Kefalonia
- Kos
- Halkidiki
- Preveza
- Rhodes
- Skiathos
- Zakynthos
It is a list that quietly confirms what industry insiders already know: Greece is no longer just a summer option—it is a year-round pillar of British outbound travel.
