British Airways customers will have even more choice of holiday hotspots this summer with the launch of a new route to Kefalonia and more seats on sunshine services.

From May 15 until October 6, 2018, customers will be able to fly direct from Terminal 5 to the island of Kefalonia, home to some of Greece’s best beaches and the idyllic setting to Louis de Bernieres’ novel-turned-film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Flights will depart on Tuesday and Saturdays, with return fares starting from £118 in Euro Traveller and £398 in Club Europe.

The island of Kefalonia is renowned for its picturesque beaches, traditional fishing villages and stunning scenery and Myrtos beach is one of the world’s most photographed stretches of sand. It will be the first time the airline has operated to the Greek island.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ chairman and chief executive, said: “We’re always developing our leisure offering from Heathrow so are incredibly pleased to be adding Kefalonia to our network. The launch of our new summer routes, which also include Figari in Corsica and Almeria, mean we will be flying 39 more routes in 2018 than we did in 2016 – an increase of 17 per cent. We’re also further improving our schedules and increasing the number of flights to European destinations such as Ibiza, Santorini and Split.”

Earlier this month British Airways announced it would start flying between Heathrow and Corsica, with direct flights to Figari airport operating every Sunday from May 27 until October 7 and return fares starting from £98. A new route to the historic Spanish city of Almeria will also launch with flights taking to the skies from March 27, 2018. Holidaymakers can discover this lively town and spectacular surrounding coast from just £66 return.

Next summer, Ibiza will go from four per week to a daily service, Mykonos will be served six times a week from four, while an additional weekly flight will be added on to the airline’s schedules to Olbia and Split.