Monarch Airlines has announced plans for a huge expansion at Birmingham Airport, including five new routes and two aircraft.
The new routes would allow holidaymakers to take flights from Birmingham to Rome, Dubrovnik, Milan, Venice and Heraklion from 2012.
The ambitious expansion plan also includes adding two Airbus A320 aircraft to the Monarch fleet at Birmingham. These will provide an additional 151,000 seats and increase the fleet to six aircraft. The latest development is also good news for the local economy as it will create up to 200 new jobs at the airport.
“We are delighted with Monarch’s announcement regarding growth at Birmingham.
The increase in the choice of routes served by Monarch underpins the confidence the airline has in the future growth of our region,” said Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport’s CEO.
“With the Airport’s considerable investment in facilities and with plans to commit £100m over the next ten years, the industry is clearly impressed with the work we are doing.”
Kevin George, Managing Director of Monarch Airlines, also commented on the new development: “The strategy for Monarch Airlines is now firmly focused on its scheduled operations and we are delighted to be adding these new routes to our already extensive network of leisure destinations across Europe from Birmingham.”
Monarch Airlines launched scheduled services from Birmingham Airport in 2005 and has seen a significant rise in popularity. The new routes will be available from today (Friday, 4 November).
The British public recently voted Monarch Airlines as one of the top ten best airlines in a recent poll from Gocompare.com.
Image: Mark Winterbourne
