Jet2 has confirmed it is cancelling all flights and holiday bookings to La Palma, one of Spain's Canary Islands, just six months after launching the route from Manchester.
The low-cost airline's flights from Manchester to La Palma will end on October 30. The service, which launched earlier this year, operated twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, with prices starting from €57 (£48.18). Jet2 had also been planning to introduce flights to the island from London Stansted.
Affected customers offered refunds or rebooking
The airline will contact customers who booked to travel after this date shortly, giving them the choice to accept a refund or rebook to a different destination. Those who do not receive an update on their holiday plans should contact Jet2 or their travel agent for next steps.
According to Jet2, the decision to axe the La Palma route follows a recent review of all the airline's flights.
A spokesperson for Jet2 said: "As a customer-focused business, we continually review our programme in response to what our customers want, and we will make adjustments where required. This gives us the ability to add flights and holidays in response to demand, and very occasionally we may withdraw them too.
"Following this latest review, we have taken the difficult decision to withdraw flights and holidays to La Palma. Where customers are affected, we will contact them or their independent travel agent to let them know their options, which include rebooking another holiday or receiving a full refund."
They added: "We would of course like to apologise to affected customers; however, with a fantastic programme of services to a huge range of destinations, we are offering superb choice when it comes to rebooking their holidays with us."
What La Palma offers
La Palma, also known as La Isla Bonita (The Beautiful Island), is a small island with green-covered mountains, volcanic terrain, narrow cobbled streets, and glistening turquoise water. Unlike its neighbour Tenerife, known as more of a party island, life on La Palma is laid back, with a focus on nature, including hiking, kayaking, and swimming.
For sightseers, highlights include the Ruta de los Volcanes, Caldera de Taburiente National Park, and Cubo de la Galga, an ancient laurel forest and UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The island also boasts natural pools such as Charco Azul and Piscinas de la Fajana, both on the northeast, which are free of charge.
Puerto Naos is the largest beach, known for its black sand and calm waters, making it ideal for snorkelling. Los Cancajos is a Blue Flag Beach with cobalt blue waters and gentle waves, suitable for diving.
Local cuisine reflects a blend of Spanish, Latin American, and African influences, with staple ingredients including locally grown fruit and veg, fresh seafood, and meat. Standout dishes include mojo, a spicy sauce made with peppers, herbs, and spices, and gofio, a toasted grain flour.
Limited alternatives for travellers
Jet2 was one of only two UK airlines offering direct flights to La Palma from Manchester. The other is TUI, which offers seasonal trips. At the time of writing, no direct flights from Manchester to La Palma appear to be available after the end of October. Jet2 is still operating flights from London Gatwick to La Palma once a week on Thursdays.
Some holidaymakers have expressed frustration about the cancellations. Sue Panton said on Facebook she was "angry" about the situation, writing: "Four of us have been booked to fly from Stansted to La Palma on November 6 for six months. Everything is booked in La Palma – two lots of accommodation, walking tours, restaurants, and then we receive an email to say the flights have been cancelled. No explanation and no compensation offered."
Amina Sultana said: "We've just had an email cancelling our flight to La Palma in three weeks' time; no one else flies there. We have parking booked at Manchester, and a hotel and car hire in La Palma. Thanks, Jet2! 10 per cent off a future flight? I don't think so!"
Angela Schroeder shared that she was "really gutted", posting: "We had booked for the end of February 2027 and were so looking forward to our first trip to La Palma." Sue Mitchell said she was "fuming", adding: "Mine has just been cancelled. Got an email this morning telling me. I thought it was a scam or I'd been hacked. I'm bloody fuming. Not what I need."
