Budget carrier Vueling is to start routes to six UK airports from Paris after winning the right to expand a hub at the French capital’s Orly airport.
New flights are due to be launched from November 2 including links to Cardiff, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and Belfast in addition to an existing Gatwick service.
Dublin and Cork will also be served with one-way fares starting at €9.99 in a launch promotion.
The Spanish airline, part of International Airlines Group which also owns British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia, won approval for the Paris expansion by the European Commission after the recapitalisation of Air France-KLM in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis.
A total of 32 new routes will be opened to ten countries including Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Morocco and Malta.
The airline said: “These new routes are in addition to the 20 flights for the winter season already scheduled from the French airport.
“Vueling thereby demonstrates its major commitment to the French market, with 48 direct connections from Paris Orly, with four more pending confirmation of launch date, which will go on sale shortly.”
Vueling has been operating in France since its launch in 2004 and serves six airports in the country.
Meanwhile, Ryanair is to serve Venice from Cork next summer with two flights a week after the airline announced a new base at the Italian city’s Marco Polo airport.