A coastal resort in Italy, an architectural gem in Greece and the largest city in the north of Pakistan are among the cities that will gain new direct flights from Manchester Airport this summer.
Many of Europe’s most popular bucket-and-spade destinations like Mallorca and Tenerife are served from Manchester year-round – but seasonal routes to holiday favourites like Mykonos, Bodrum and Dubrovnik are resuming ahead of the summer peak.
And two major global cities will be added to the airport’s long-haul route network this summer, with Algiers and Lahore set to gain direct flights. The service to Algeria’s capital will be operated by national airline Air Algerie from 14 June, with prices from £263.43pp return, while Pakistan International Airlines will build upon the successful launch of its Islamabad service by adding Lahore as its second destination from Manchester from 3 July, with fares from £881.23pp return.
In addition, a number of airlines have already, or will soon be introducing brand-new short-haul services from Manchester for their Summer 2026 schedules. These include;
– easyJet’s new service to Bari, in southern Italy – an architectural jewel with the country’s longest seafront promenade. The service is due to launch on 3 July with prices from £109pp return.
– easyJet’s new service to Montpellierin the south of France, known for its viticulture, sandy beaches and seafood. The service launched at the end of March and prices start at £79pp return.
– easyJet’s new service to Preveza, an airport in mainland Greece that serves as the access point for the picturesque island of Lefkada. The route starts on 24 June with fares from only £126pp return.
– Jet2.com’s new service to Jerez de la Frontera, on Spain’s often overlooked Atlantic coast – offering golden beaches, it’s the birthplace of Sherry and Flamenco dancing. The flights began on 12 May and fares start at £96pp return.
– Jet2.com’s new service to La Palma, a laid-back Canary Island with jaw-dropping volcanic landscapes. The route started operating in early April and you can secure flights from just £103pp return this summer.
– Jet2.com’s new service to Palermo in Sicily, with stunning beaches and an Old Town listed by UNESCO. Flights got underway at the start of this month and fares start at £122pp.
– Jet2.com’s new service to Pula, a Croatian coastal resort famed for its well-preserved Roman architecture including a huge amphitheatre. The service launched on May 4 and fares start at £104pp.
– Jet2.com’s new service to Samos, a Greek island in the eastern Aegean with beaches, forested hiking trails and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Flights began on May 1, alongside Jet2.com’s Palermo service, and you can fly to Samos from £95pp return this summer.
– Ryanair’s new service to Castellonin eastern Spain, gateway to the Costa del Azahar, or ‘Coast of the Orange Trees’, known for great food and beaches. It is due to launch on June 1, with fares from £35pp return.
– Ryanair’s new service to Rimini, a city on Italy’s Adriatic coast with plenty to offer for young families including beaches, theme parks, water parks and the Italia in Miniatura model village. Flights will start on June 3, with prices from £34pp for a return booking.
Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said: “We know people are just as keen as ever to enjoy a holiday abroad this summer – and while places like Mallorca, Alicante and Faro are always in demand, we know many travellers want to explore somewhere new, even if they’re travelling to a country that they’ve visited many times before.
“That’s where we step in with a huge range of destinations unmatched by any other airport in the North, offering plenty of choice. When we say we connect people to places no-one else in the North does, we don’t just mean global cities like New York or Beijing – we mean sun, sea and sand destinations too.
“That’s why we’re so excited to see a dozen new routes coming on board this summer, several of which will connect Manchester to destinations unserved by any other Northern airport. We’re sure these destinations will prove popular with passengers, and we’re grateful to our airlines for their ongoing commitment to offer passengers flying from Manchester unrivalled choice.”
