The new year promises to be groundbreaking for Manchester Airport, with its decade-long, £1.3bn Terminal 2 transformation due to be completed in a matter of weeks, and a project to redesign and improve Terminal also rapidly progressing.
The airport reported record passenger numbers in every month of 2025 and expects its growth to continue into 2026, with more flights, more destinations and more choice than ever before for passengers.
Manchester Airport’s network is set to widen again this year, with seven new services already confirmed from the likes of easyJet, Jet2.com and Ryanair – four of which are brand-new for the airport. More are expected to follow over the course of the year.
Montpellier
easyJet’s service to France’s Mediterranean coast launches on Monday 30 March. Montpellier is one of the biggest cities in southern France and offers an array of cultural sights, from museums and art galleries to archaeological sites like the ancient city of Lattara – but most passengers flying into the city’s airport are headed for nearby coastal resorts like Palavas-les-Flots, Sete and Carnon. The region’s beaches are a popular spot for water sports and its seafood is also renowned.
Preveza
easyJet’s other confirmed new service is to Preveza in Greece. It begins on Wednesday 24 June and easyJet will join Jet2.com and TUI in flying here, offering even greater choice to passengers. Preveza is on the mainland but faces the island of Lefkada, which has come to rival Corfu as one of the most popular tourist destinations on Greece’s Ionian Sea coast. Expect similar vibes to Corfu with fabulous beaches, colourful Venetian architecture and delicious Greek food.
La Palma
Jet2.com begins flying to the Canary Island of La Palma on Friday 3 April, joining TUI in linking it to Manchester. It’s quieter than neighbouring islands like Tenerife and Fuerteventura but offers many of the same experiences, from charming port towns to black sand beaches and a rugged volcanic landscape great for nature-lovers.
Palermo
On Friday 1 May, Jet2.com launches the first direct service from Manchester to Palermo, the largest city on the island of Sicily. It’s a lively destination with bustling markets and tasty street food, and plenty of history too – its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Head out of Palermo in a westerly direction and you’ll find some of the island’s best beaches, including the stunning San Vito Lo Capo.
Samos
Jet2.com’s flights to Samos start on Tuesday 5 May, and it will be the only airline to offer a direct link from Manchester to this picturesque Greek island in the eastern Aegean, emerging as a popular alternative to its much busier neighbours Mykonos and Santorini. Foodies will be truly at home here – it’s famous for high-quality honey, cheese, olive oil and sweet Muscat wine. Some of its beaches, including Tsamadou and Potami, have become Instagram-famous.
Castellon
Another brand-new route for Manchester Airport, Ryanair’s flights to Castellon commence on Monday 1 June. The city is the gateway to the Costa del Azahar, or ‘Coast of the Orange Trees’, a stretch of more than 80 miles of golden sands that has long been popular with Spanish holidaymakers but is something of a hidden gem for international visitors. Be sure to tuck into some Paella while you’re here – this is the part of Spain where the dish originated.
Bodrum
Rounding off the list, SunExpress begins flights to Bodrum on Monday 4 May, joining easyJet and Jet2.com in offering a direct service from Manchester. Famous for Bodrum Castle and the ruins of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the city sits at the heart of Turkey’s Aegean coastline and is surrounded by a string of resorts offering all-inclusive stays.
