Jet2.com and Jet2holidays are this week operating their first flights from Birmingham to Sicily and Sardinia.
The new routes are part of an expanded programme from the Midlands airport this summer, with 51 sun and city destinations on sale.
The first flight to Sicily departs on Thursday, May 25, and the first to Sardinia leaves on Sunday, May 28.
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Steve Heapy (pictured), chief executive of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “The addition of these stunning Italian islands to our summer ‘23 programme from Birmingham airport has proven to be extremely popular with customers and independent travel agents looking for glorious sunshine alongside that authentic Italian experience.”
The addition of Sicily and Sardinia means Jet2.com and Jet2holidays now have seven Italian destinations on sale this summer from Birmingham, with the others being Naples, Pisa, Rome, Venice and Verona.
Most of the hotels in Sicily and Sardinia have four-star or five-star ratings, the airline and tour operator said. They added that villa holidays are also available through Jet2Villas.
Resorts in Sicily include Taormina, Taormina Mare, Giardini Naxos, Syracuse, Cefalu and Campofelice Di Roccella. Jet2CityBreaks is also selling packages to Catania.
Sardinian resorts include Porto Cervo, Baia Sardinia, Budoni, San Teodoro, Cannigione, San Pantaleo, Orosei and Pittulongu, while city breaks are available to Olbia.
Heapy said: “Sardinia and Sicily are fantastic additions to our enormous summer ‘23 programme from Birmingham airport, and it means we are extending our popular Italian offering significantly for locals in the Midlands.
“As the UK’s largest tour operator, we are giving customers and independent travel agents unrivalled choice when it comes to enjoying a holiday from Birmingham airport this summer ‘23, with award-winning customer experience on top.”
Birmingham airport aviation director Tom Screen said: “Direct flights to the largest and the second-largest islands in the Mediterranean is fabulous news for customers. Sicily, with its stunning coastline, glorious landscapes and sumptuous cuisine, is a wonderful addition to Jet2.com and Jet2holidays’ Birmingham airport offering.”
He added: “Sardinia, with its fascinating geology, dreamy beaches and unique history, is also now just a few hours away from Birmingham airport.”