Ryanair is opening a base at Manchester airport to compete with budget rivals easyJet and Jet2.com.
The no-frills carrier is to operate 17 routes from October and 26 by summer 2012 creating 2,000 jobs.
The carrier claims it will be investing £175 million at the airport with the new base operating up to 260 flights a week.
Tickets for the new routes, including Dublin, Madrid and Oslo, will go on sale tomorrow.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said: “Now Manchester consumers and visitors can beat the recession and escape easyJet and Jet2’s high fares by switching to Ryanair’s lowest fares and our no fuel surcharge guarantee to 26 exciting destinations in Italy, Germany and Spain among others.
“Ryanair’s 2 million passengers p.a. will sustain up to 2,000 jobs at Manchester airport and in the surrounding region.”