Low cost airline, Jet2.com, jetted a Yorkshire-born German speaking world champion Town Crier to Hamburg yesterday (01 May), to help the airline celebrate the inaugural flight from Hamburg to Leeds Bradford and officially welcome new visitors to the region.

The event marks the start of a month of celebrations by Jet2.com as it launches eight new routes from Leeds Bradford International Airport throughout May.

Three times World Champion Michael Wood, the official town crier for East Riding of Yorkshire, entertainedpassengers at Leeds Bradford Airport before joining Jet2.com’s inaugural flight to Hamburg.

Michael gave a special proclamation in German whilst passengers were treated to Yorkshire food and drink including Yorkshire Tea and biscuits.

The launch of Jet2.com’s eight new destinations, Hamburg, Madrid, Sardinia, Cyprus, Crete, Avignon, Jersey and La Rochelle, represent the biggest single route expansion in the history of the airline and brings the total number of destinations served from Leeds Bradford International Airport to 36.

Joining Michael on the landmark flight was Jet2.com Managing Director Ian Doubtfire who also took part in the event at Hamburg.

Speaking about the route expansion Jet2.com boss, Philip Meeson commented: “May really is a momentous month for Jet2.com and Leeds Bradford International Airport, with the launch of eight new fantastic destinations and our biggest ever route expansion to date.

“The celebrations kicked off with the launch of the first flight to Hamburg. We’re honoured that Michael has agreed to join us and welcome new visitors to our region in his own special way.”

Tony Hallwood, Commercial and Aviation Development Director at Leeds Bradford Airport commented: “The launch of the eight new routes this month is fantastic for our region. Not only will people living across Yorkshire be able to reach even more European destinations conveniently and easily, but the new routes will also bring more visitors to our region, really putting Yorkshire on the map.

The eight new destinations launching from Leeds Bradford in May are:

• Hamburg starts 1 May, four times per week
• Madrid starts 2 May, four times per week
• Sardinia (Olbia) starts 3 May, once a week
• Cyprus (Paphos) starts 4 May, twice a week
• Crete (Heraklion) starts 20 May, once a week
• Avignon starts 22 May, three times per week
• Jersey starts 24 May, three times per week
• La Rochelle starts 24 May, once a week