JET SET
EasyJet launches three new European routes from small UK airport next summer – and one has just 29 days of rain per year
And the other new routes that you can look forward to from smaller UK airports
EASYJET has launched flights to three new destinations from one of its regional hubs, with tickets on sale now.
The budget airline will soon be jetting off to both Reus and Almeria in Spain as well as Malta, all from London Southend Airport.
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The new routes will start next spring, with the first flights set to take off on March, 2025.
Almeria is a port city in Andalucia and is home to plenty of unique attractions, as well as some wonderful sandy beaches.
The pick of the bunch is Playa de los Muertos, a short drive from of the city, with wedding photographers saying that it's a favourite for newlyweds searching for the perfect background for their photos.
It picked up a TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Award this year with hundreds of people giving it a five star rating.
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And with Almeria only getting 29 days of rain per year, there are plenty of opportunities to make the most of days out at the seaside.
Beach Inspector said: "It will provide the best and most beautiful memories of your Andalusian trip.
"It's so popular with people who love the freedom and wildness of the desert-like natural environment in Almeria. Bathing in the clear, azure-blue sea is hard to beat."
Back in the city, unique architecture is high up on the list of things to explore, with places like the Alcazaba, a fortress overlooking the city from atop a hill, and Catedral de la Encarnacion, dating back to the 10th and 16th centuries, respectively.
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The former was once one of the most powerful Moorish forts in the country and is still very well maintained to this day.
The latter is a cathedral boasting six towers that served as a place of worship and refuge for the locals, with the city frequently raided by pirates.
The Spanish cave town built into a canyon known for its wine, food and spectacular castle
A pint in Almeria can be bought for around €3.50 (£3) in a bar or restaurant, while a bottle from a supermarket will only set you back €0.67 (57p).
Flights to the city from Southend are on sale now and start from Tuesday, April 1.
They will run twice a week through the summer until June 14, with prices starting from £53.
Reus meanwhile, was the birthplace of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, whose most famous works can be seen in the form of the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell in Barcelona.
New routes launching soon from the UK
EasyJet isn't the only airline launching new flights from small UK airports
Sun Express will start flying from Newcastle to Turkey from next summer, taking holidaymakers to Dalaman.
The airline will start a twice weekly flight from May 4, 2025. There will also be additional flights to Antalya.
It's not the only airport in the north east in line for new routes either, with Teesside Airport promised new flights to both Tenerife and Malaga.
As part of his re-election campaign, Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, promised to deliver the new flights.
He said he hoped to bring some of them in for next summer, if not the year after.
Ryanair is also set to add new routes to Norwich Airport, just months after it started flying from there for the first time.
After launching its first flights there in April this year, to Alicante in Spain, Faro in Portugal and Malta, more destinations look set to be included.
The airport's managing director Richard Pace said he is hoping to see at least two or three more routes in time for summer 2025.
However, the Gaudi centre is one of the top visitor attractions in Reus and pays tribute to the city's most famous son with immersive exhibits and projections.
Flights there from Southend will also begin on April 1 and will continue twice weekly, until June 14. Prices begin from £22.
Meanwhile, Malta is popular for its lagoons, the island of Gozo and the walled city of Valletta.
Those flights start at £41 and will run from March 30, 2025.
There will be four of them each week, running until June 15.
As well as the three new routes, passengers will also be able to book flight-only tickets on the seven pre-existing routes, already flying from London Southend.
Until now, holidaymakers could only book package holidays to Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Dalaman and Antalya in Turkey, Enfidha in Tunisia, Marrakech in Morocco and Pisa in Italy.
Now, flight-only seats and easyJet holidays packages are both available for all ten destinations.
Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK country manager, said: “We are delighted to be putting ten new routes on sale from our new base at London Southend Airport, which we look forward to opening next spring.
“We have flown more than seven million customers from London Southend since we started our operation there in 2012 and, whether they are flying for business or leisure, we look forward to welcoming even more of them onboard.”
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Meanwhile, this airline is set to relaunch flights from the UK to an "other-worldly" island.
And TUI is also launching more flights to a winter holiday hotspot for the first time since 2020.
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