Jet2.com the friendly low fares airline, made its landmark first flight from East Midlands Airport on Wednesday 19 May. The 757’s historic departure to Paphos, signalled yet further investment into the region by the airline, who went on to announce five new direct routes out of the airport, which will be serviced by a second aircraft for the base.

The inaugural flight, carrying holiday makers to Cyprus departed at 09.30 this morning and lead the way for the announcement of Jet2.com’s five new sunshine destinations for summer 2011 -  Alicante, Palma, and Faro with Bodrum and Rhodes being the first scheduled services for the region, bringing the total destinations from the base, offered by Jet2.com to fourteen.

In addition to the five new routes, weekly departures will be increased from 9 to 22 by summer 2011, with a second aircraft in service from May 2011 bringing the number of seats to 300,000 per annum.

In further good news for the region, the airline’s sustained and significant investment at the base, is set to give further support to the East Midlands business infrastructure – helping to generate an extra 150 jobs at Jet2.com and its supporting industries.

Ian Doubtfire, Managing Director at Jet2.com said, “As of today, we are now, quite literally taking off in the Midlands bringing low fare flights to a whole host of popular destinations - as well as providing substantial employment opportunities within the travel and leisure industry. I would personally like to thank everyone from the region for their continued support and we look forward to welcoming more and more customers on-board our fleet and working with our partners at East Midlands Airport to establish Jet2.com as the Midlands favourite airline.”

Meanwhile Steve Heapy, Managing Director at Jet2Holidays.com added: “I am thrilled that we are able to offer our excellent value package deals to the people of the East Midlands region. It is a core focus area for the Holidays team, as we expand our choice of destinations across Europe and I would encourage customers to take advantage of our great value low prices as soon as possible and plan their 2011 escape to the sun nice and early!”