Thomas Cook Airlines will base an additional Airbus A320 aircraft at Bristol Airport from May 1, 2018 and increase its number of seats on sale from the airport to over 400,000 for the summer 18 season.

Taking the airline’s weekly flights from 28 to 39 for summer 18, the additional flights on sale include new destinations Egypt, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Costa Brava and Greece. They join favourite holiday spots like the Canaries and Balearics for both flight-only and package holidays from the airport.

From March 19, Tunisia will also join the Bristol programme. Three sold-out UK flights to Hammermet launched in February this year, increasing to 11 weekly flights across the UK this summer.

Christoph Debus, Chief Airlines Officer at Thomas Cook Group, says, “We’re very pleased to expand our Bristol programme by 31 per cent this summer. It means more customers can enjoy some summer sun in our most popular short and mid-haul holiday destinations.

“We are seeing strong demand for Turkey, with Cyprus and Greece also proving very popular. We are delighted to reintroduce flights to Hurghada, too - we have increased the number of seats on sale to Egypt by 14 per cent across the UK this year, flying to both Hurghada and Marsa Alam.”

Compared to summer 17, capacity growth at Bristol airport for summer 18 to Greece is 27%, Turkey, 74% and Cyprus, 33%. The 5 hour 10 minute direct flight to Hurghada operates weekly on a Tuesday on the Airbus A321, with its first flight on May 1, 2018.

Nigel Scott, Business Development Director, Bristol Airport, said, “We are delighted with the substantial 31 per cent growth in capacity using the three based Thomas Cook aircraft operating from Bristol Airport for summer 2018.

“The new Hurghada and Preveza destinations and additional flights to the existing Thomas Cook route network has contributed to this increase. The programme offers the choice of flights and holidays available to passengers in the South West and Wales region. We are looking at further opportunities of developing the Thomas Cook and Bristol Airport relationship.”

Thomas Cook Airlines flight-only from Bristol airport, one-way in economy.

· Hurghada, Egypt from £130.99

· Girona, Costa Brava from £46.99

· Paphos, Cyprus from £52.99

· Burgas, Bulgaris from £41.99

· Preveza, Greece from £46.99

To book visit www.thomascookairlines.com, call 0844 412 5970, or visit your nearest Thomas Cook store.

Thomas Cook offers seven nights in Hurghada, Egypt from £579 per person, based on two adults sharing. Staying at the four star SENTIDO Mamlouk Palace Resort on an all-inclusive basis, flying from Bristol on 01 May 2018. To book visit www.thomascook.com, call 0844 412 5970, or visit your nearest Thomas Cook store