HOLIDAYMAKERS have jetted off from Humberside Airport to two new sunshine destinations.
New weekly flights to Alicante, in Spain, and Palma, in Majorca, took off for the first time yesterday.
Airport bosses say the new flights, which are being provided through travel company JetXtra.com, have been introduced to meet local demand.
And passengers boarding the 10.15am to Alicante were certainly delighted at having flights to the Spanish sunshine right on their doorstep.
Muriel Needham, of North Somercotes, was flying to Spain to celebrate her 80th birthday. She visits friends in Alicante between four and five times a year, normally flying from either Doncaster or East Midlands.
She said: "I fly as much as I can from Humberside. It is a real joy and so convenient. I came to the airport by taxi and it took about 30 minutes, whereas to Doncaster it is and hour and a half, and to East Midlands two hours, so that is a big saving for me.
"I go to stay with Spanish friends in Alicante. The city is beautiful."
By contrast, Immingham couple Peter and Christine Thacker were jetting off to Benidorm for the first time.
Looking forward to two weeks in the Spanish sun, Christine, 71, said: "We like to go from Humberside because it's so convenient. We got a lift and it only takes ten minutes, which is ideal."
Wayne Swales, 29, of Hainton Avenue, Grimsby, was taking his six-year-old daughter Angel for a one-week break.
He said: "We went to Alicante when she was younger from another airport. Flying from here is so much easier."
The flights, which are operating every Tuesday throughout the summer season depart for Alicante at 10.15am and for Palma at 4pm, on a 125-seat capacity Boeing 717 operated by Spanish airline Volotea.
Amanda George, business manager at Humberside Airport, said: "We are extremely pleased to welcome jetXtra to Humberside and look forward to continuing our close cooperation and increasing the number of destinations we offer to local people out of the airport.
"These two new destinations will cater for almost 5,000 passengers over the summer months which is great news for the airport."
JetXtra.com director Daniel Reilly said: "It is an incredibly competitive market, but the response to these new flights has been very positive.
"The new flight services for East Riding and Lincolnshire will offer more choice to those who want real value for money flights and holidays but with no hidden fees."
