Thomas Cook Airlines is to start flying from the Luton airport base of easyJet and Monarch next summer as part of an expanded flying programme.
The carrier is opening four routes from Luton – to Corfu, Ibiza, Mahon and Palma – with 30,000 seats going on sale from today (Thursday).
Each Mediterranean destination will be served by weekly flights with Ibiza on Fridays, Mahon on Saturdays, Corfu on Sundays and Palma on Mondays.
The airline’s summer 2017 flying schedule sees total capacity raised by 150,000 seats and the introduction of 15 new routes.
A major focus is on the Balearics and Canary islands, where 100,000 extra seats are being made available.
Besides Luton, other airports gaining new routes for summer 2017 include Belfast to Ibiza and four flights to Cancun; Birmingham to Malta and Naples; Bristol to Malta and increased frequency to Tenerife; Glasgow to Alicante; Manchester to Split, Malaga and Mykonos and increased flights to Alicante, Lanzarote, Faro and Mahon; Newcastle to Paphos and Almeria and additional flights to Reus; and Stansted gaining additional flights to Lanzarote and Mahon.
Gatwick sees Almeria served twice a week with a new Saturday flight, Orlando being served three times a week and extra overall capacity with a Boeing 757 replacing a smaller Airbus A321.
The Malta routes from Birmingham and Bristol will be run in partnership with P&O Cruises to serve new cruises from the island.
Thomas Cook Airlines’ sales and planning director, Henry Sunley, said: “Operating out of London Luton matches our ambitions to grow our airline.
“With our £100 million investment in cabin interiors, 25 new A321s entering our fleet, and James Martin meals on board, we’ve worked with our airport and airline partners to build a really great programme for summer 2017. It meets the changing demands of UK holidaymakers, and ensures that Brits can get great summer sun on a quality airline that puts its customers first.”
Airport head of business development, Simon Harley, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Thomas Cook to London Luton airport next year.
“We are currently investing £110 million to transform the airport by increasing capacity and improving our terminal.
“Thomas Cook’s arrival will ensure that passengers not only enjoy the best possible experience at the airport, but also have an even greater choice of destinations.”
Flight prices from Luton lead in at £49.99 one way.