Leeds-Bradford Airport-based airline Jet2 “rescued” royals and celebrities including Prince William and Mike Tyson from the chaos caused by the British Airways strike.

Jet2 loaned several planes in a so-called “wet lease” to BA after the bigger airline’s own fleet was grounded by cabin crew industrial action.

Prince William was one of 176 passengers on the two-hour flight home from Geneva in Switzerland after a skiing holiday with girlfriend Kate Middleton.

Also benefiting from Jet2.com’s rescue package were boxing legend Mike Tyson and Formula One supremo Damon Hill.

Philip Meeson, boss of Jet2.com, said: “Over the years we have had the privilege of flying some extremely high-profile passengers – from celebrities to sports stars – but this is the first royal that we have had on board.

“I am confident that Prince William will have been impressed with our fantastic customer service, comfort and punctuality and we look forward to welcoming him on-board again in the future. Who knows, we may soon be his preferred airline of choice and displaying a royal crest on our fleet!

“Mike Tyson and Damon Hill are also great additions to our Jet2.com hall of fame – it seems that we are fast becoming the stars’ favourite airline!”

A wet lease is an arrangement in which one airline provides an aircraft, complete crew, maintenance and insurance to another.

BA agreed wet lease charter deals with Jet2, Ryanair, Astraeus, Titan, Euro Atlantic, Transavia, Viking and Arkefly.