Airline and holiday group Jet2 has added three more summer destinations to its route network from Bristol Airport.
The company, the UK’s largest tour operator and third largest airline, introduced flights to Bourgas in Bulgaria this week.
Later this month it will launch its services to Costa de Almeria in Spain and the Turkish resort of Izmir.
Jet2 began flights from Bristol three years ago after it took over 27 routes previously operated by Thomas Cook prior to its collapse.
It has since expanded its network from the airport and this summer will fly direct to 34 destinations, mainly to Mediterranean sunspots, including a number in competition with low-cost rivals easyJet and Ryanair.
Jet2 said Bourgas, pictured, on the Black Sea coast offered charming diversity between the traditional Bulgarian settings in its quaint towns paired with inviting beachfront resorts, while Costa de Almeria offered an authentic slice of Spain, including unspoiled beaches, desert landscapes and mountain peaks.
Izmir, on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, boasts “seaside fun in its array of picturesque harbours, powdery sands and beachfront bars along with charming old town walls hosting tavernas and bustling bars as well as epic ancient ruins on the doorstep”, said Jet2.
Flights to Bourgas will depart every Tuesday until 8 October, with those to Costa de Almeria leaving every Sunday from 26 May until 3 November.
Izmir flights will start on 27 May and continue every Monday until 28 October.
Jet2.com and Jet2holidays CEO Steve Heapy said: “The addition of these stunning holiday destinations has proven to be extremely popular with customers and independent travel agents looking for glorious sunshine alongside that authentic cultural experience.
“Bourgas, Costa de Almeria and Izmir are fantastic additions to our enormous summer 24 programme from Bristol Airport, and it means we are extending our popular costal holiday offerings significantly for locals in the South West.”
Jet2 is the latest airline to expand its route network from Bristol.
EasyJet is adding an 18th aircraft to its fleet at the airport this summer, allowing it to introduce further new destinations and additional capacity to the 70 routes it already operates – more than half all those from the airport.
Last month Ryanair launched its biggest-ever schedule from Bristol Airport for this summer, with 36 routes, including six new destinations, following the addition of a fifth aircraft to s Bristol-based fleet last year.
A record 9.8m people passed through Bristol Airport last year – a 10% increase compared to pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels in 2019.
Work is continuing at the airport on a £60m public transport interchange hub and multi-storey car park – its largest capital project for more than two decades.
The project forms part of the site’s overall multi-million pound upgrade, which will increase its capacity from 10m to 12m passengers a year.