Jet2, the London-listed leisure travel group, has announced a significant £250 million share buyback program following a robust fiscal performance. The company expects to report a profit before foreign exchange revaluation and taxation of between £565.0 million and £570.0 million for the year ended 31 March, marking a 9% increase from the previous year. This move underscores Jet2's confidence in its sustainable cash-generative business model and strong balance sheet, which boasts total cash of £3.2 billion and an 'Own Cash' balance of £1.1 billion at the end of FY25.

The share buyback initiative is set to enhance earnings per share by cancelling the repurchased shares, a strategy that has been well-received by the market. Peel Hunt analysts described the buyback as 'very positive,' highlighting the company's robust financial health. Jet2's decision reflects a broader trend among corporations with strong cash positions to return value to shareholders, albeit in a manner that favors institutional investors over private ones, especially those investing through tax-free wrappers like ISAs.

Looking forward, Jet2 is optimistic about its growth prospects, with 'on sale capacity' for summer 2025 currently 8.3% higher than the previous year, totaling 18.6 million seats. This expansion is partly attributed to the company's new bases at Bournemouth and London Luton airports, which contribute approximately 4% of the growth. Despite the positive outlook, Jet2 acknowledges the challenges posed by limited visibility and a trend towards later booking profiles in the travel sector.

The announcement has had a palpable impact on Jet2's stock, with shares climbing nearly 15% following the release of its trading statement. Analysts from RBC and Peel Hunt have lauded the company's strong return on invested capital and attractive valuation, suggesting that Jet2's integrated model and customer experience position it well for continued growth and value creation in the competitive leisure travel market.

Families of the 29 victims killed in the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash are escalating their decades-long fight for answers, preparing to deliver a petition with more than 47,000 signatures to Downing Street demanding a public inquiry. The Chinook Justice Campaign has published 110 "critical questions" they want answered about the tragedy that claimed the lives of 25 intelligence experts and four special forces crew members when the aircraft crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on June 2, 1994.

The campaign comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer rejected calls for a judge-led inquiry into the incident, prompting families to declare they will "see the UK government in court." Among those delivering the petition on Tuesday are brothers Andy and Matt Tobias from Watford, whose father John Tobias was killed in the crash. The petition delivery will be accompanied by an attempt to deliver a letter directly to the Ministry of Defence.

Central to the families' concerns are questions about mission authorization, aircraft selection, and whether those on board were properly warned of risks. The campaign has gained momentum amid revelations that key documents related to the crash have been sealed until 2094—a century after the incident occurred. David Hill, technical expert for the Chinook Justice Campaign, characterized the government's position as "a betrayal by the state of them and their loved ones."

The crash investigation has followed a contentious path over the past three decades. Initial findings blamed pilot error for the tragedy, but this conclusion was overturned in 2011. The continuing secrecy surrounding the incident has drawn criticism from campaigners who argue it "undermines trust not only in the MoD but in the government itself." As families prepare to confront the government directly, the case represents one of Britain's longest-running military accountability battles.