Jet2 launches first ever flight from UK airport to European island in time for summer

A BRAND new flight route has been launched by Jet2 between a UK airport and a popular holiday destination in Europe.

The airline said that they had already sold tickets for the new flights “in their numbers” with the first one taking off earlier this week.

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The budget airline and tour operator started its new route between Edinburgh and Malta earlier this week, on May 1.

It’s the first time the airline has linked the two airports, with the route launched due to great demand.

The service will run weekly, every Wednesday throughout summer 2024, until October 30, opening up a new holiday destination for those flying from Edinburgh.

The airline said that holidaymakers in Scotland can now explore Malta’s “history packed towns and blissful marinas” as well as discovering “the hidden treasures and Italian-inspired cuisine”.

Jet2 also stated that holidaymakers could also head over to Gozo to find “centuries-old architecture, brilliant beaches and shimmering lagoons”.

The direct route from Edinburgh adds to the nine other Jet2 routes to Malta, from airports across the United Kingdom.

Alan Borg, Malta International Airport Chief Executive Officer, said those flights “enhance Malta’s offering to our airport’s biggest tourism market throughout the summer months”.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, said: “We are delighted to see our first flight to Malta take off from Edinburgh Airport today.

“Feedback from customers and independent travel agents in Scotland has been telling us that flights and holidays to Malta and Gozo are very much in demand for Summer 24, and we know that this is a destination that customers want to experience.

“Since putting services on sale to Malta from Edinburgh Airport, local customers and independent travel agents have been booking getaways to the stunning hotspot in their numbers.”

Kate Sherry, Chief Commercial Officer at Edinburgh Airport, added: “We always want to add destinations and routes where we can, to make sure people can get away and relax, and we’re sure our passengers will have a lot of fun on the island.”

The new route is one of several the Jet2 has announced, with 16 services due to start flying out from Bournemouth for the first time next year.

Popular holiday destinations including Spain, Turkey, Greece and Portugal are among the new destinations to be served by the airline, once the routes take to the skies in 2025.

Spain will get the bulk of the new flights, with the likes of Alicante, Ibiza, Menorca, Mallorca, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife all getting new direct routes to the south coast.

Four Greek hotspots are also included, with new Corfu, Heraklion, Rhodes and Zakynthos flights among those to be annonced.

Elsewhere, two destinations in both Turkey and Portugal will be available as well, with Antalya, Dalaman, Faro and Funchal to now be served by Jet2.

The new flights will begin in April next year, although they will be staggered between April and May.

The first flights taking off will be the ones to Tenerife South, which are due to begin on April 1, 2025, with up to three weekly services.

Meanwhile, this new European airline has launched its first flights to the UK.

And this brand new airline is set to launch next year.

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