The Portuguese region of the Algarve has proved a long-standing favourite with British sunseekers and golf enthusiasts, and since the onset of low-cost flights to Faro airport, even more UK tourists have flocked to this exclusive slice of Mediterranean paradise. This summer, travellers in the north of the country will have easy, inexpensive access to the Algarve for the first time, with low-cost carrier Jet2 launching services from seven northern UK destinations.
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The airline, which flies regularly from its home airport in Leeds to Faro, will extend its routes this summer to include direct flights from Blackpool, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle. With flights starting from as low as €39, this should bring a huge influx of new tourists to the area. As a special opening promotion, Jet2 is also offering no check-in fees for golf clubs on any March, April or May flights booked this month.
The new destinations represent an extension of 150,000 seats compared to Jet2's summer services in the 2010 season, where they sold 200,000 seats. The airline has also added an extra 5,000 seats to keep up with demand increases as customers originally travelling to Tunisia and Egypt change their holiday destinations.
Chief Executive Philip Meeson said he was confident the new services would prove fruitful for the airline. "We are delighted to continue our expansion of this important destination", he said. "Faro has proved to be very popular not only with British holidaymakers seeking sunshine and fantastic golf courses, but also for a number of our customers living in and around the Algarve who want to be able to return to the UK."
The increase in flights should also prove fruitful for the property industry, with more potential buyers able to explore the area and see it as a solid tourist destination and a secure investment. "As well as increasing accessibility, this is a positive step for tourism and investors", said Stephen Anderson of Portugal-based property agent Infinito Real. "More competition will drive prices down and ultimately more people to the area. It also demonstrates confidence in the Algarve as a growing tourist destination."
