Jet2 has launched its first ever flights from London Gatwick, marking a historic expansion for the low-cost carrier. The airline has secured slots for six aircraft at the West Sussex airport and will offer flights to 29 destinations, including Italy, Greece, Turkey, and mainland Spain. The inaugural flight departed today (March 26) to Tenerife, just in time for the Easter holidays.
Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, is a popular destination for fly-and-flop holidays and winter getaways. However, the island has been included in Fodor's 2026 No List, which highlights destinations where tourism is placing unsustainable pressure on local communities and the environment. In the first half of 2025, the Canary Islands welcomed 7.8 million visitors and processed over 27 million airport passengers, a 5% increase year-on-year.
Tourism accounts for approximately 35% of the Canary Islands' GDP and employs about 40% of its 2.2 million population. However, locals have protested against soaring housing costs, environmental strain, and community erosion caused by unregulated property development and mass tourism. Thousands have marched under the banner 'Canarias tiene un límite' (The Canaries have a limit).
Despite these concerns, there are ways to visit Tenerife responsibly. Cristina Muñoz Vallejo, a local born and raised on the island, recommends Bajamar for its natural pools and unspoiled beaches. This coastal town on the northeast is popular with locals and offers surfing, waterside cafés, and seafood restaurants. Her favourite spot is La Cofradía de Bajamar, a beachfront restaurant serving fried sardines.
Cristina also suggests visiting Cala de las Tortugas in El Puertito, a protected cove accessible via rocky paths, ideal for snorkelling. She notes that the area feels remote and is a natural bay for marine life.
