EasyJet has started flying to the first three of four new routes from Liverpool John Lennon airport.
Services to Palermo, in Sicily, and Pula in Croatia, launched over the weekend, and a new route to Dalaman in Turkey began on Monday.
These will be followed by a new route to Toulouse, which begins in October, and all will be supported by a new aircraft to be based at the airport.
The budget airline expects to carry more than 20,000 passengers to Palermo, Pula and Dalaman this summer as it targets 2.4 million annual passengers to and from the airport for the first time this year and an 8% rise in passenger numbers.
With the addition of the new routes, easyJet now operates 32 destinations from Liverpool John Lennon.
Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK country manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be celebrating further expansion at Liverpool John Lennon airport and it’s great to announce these inaugural flights – we’re sure they will be popular with those looking for more choice of summer holiday destinations from the north west.
“Having been at Liverpool John Lennon airport for over twenty years, the addition of another aircraft this summer will help us to deliver long-term, sustainable growth at the airport whilst providing passengers with a greater range of destinations, all with low fares and great service.”
Paul Winfield, director of aviation development at Liverpool John Lennon, added: “The arrival of easyJet’s eighth based aircraft here and the four new routes that this brings, further demonstrates their commitment to the Liverpool market.
“EasyJet has also upgraded two of its A319 aircraft already based here to the larger A320 model, further increasing seat capacity, which along with these latest new routes gives more passengers from across the north west and north wales, the opportunity to experience our best in class, faster, easier friendlier customer experience.”