Airline and package holiday operator Jet2 is continuing its investment in Birmingham with the launch of four new routes for next year.

The company is expanding its summer 2020 programme from Birmingham Airport with new services to Kefalonia, Nice, Murcia and Budapest.

The addition of two aircraft and almost 200,000 extra seats means nearly 1.9 million seats are going on sale for next summer, representing an 11 per cent capacity increase by the Yorkshire-based group which will be serving 45 separate destinations.

Kefalonia will be a weekly service, Murcia and Budapest twice weekly and Nice three times a week.

The announcement comes after the decision by EU ministers to allow UK airlines, hauliers and passenger bus and coach operators to continue to be able to provide services to and from the EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Jet2 is expanding its operations from Birmingham Airport
Jet2 is expanding its operations from Birmingham Airport

Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2, said: "The UK Government has confirmed that flights to our EU holiday destinations will continue just as last year, providing assurance that, whatever the outcome of Brexit, holidaymakers can continue to book holidays with confidence.

"On the back of that, we are delighted to be announcing even more good news, thanks to this exciting summer programme from Birmingham Airport.

"With 45 fantastic destinations to go on sale, four new summer routes, and more good news to come, we are once again demonstrating our commitment to the base and to our customers.

"We are confident that this summer programme will be a huge hit with local holidaymakers."

Earlier this year, Jet2 took delivery of the last of 34 brand new Boeing 737-800 aircraft, taking its fleet size to 100.

Mr Heapy said at the time that he expected the company to continue investing in its operations at the airport and expanding its routes on the back of a major recruitment drive at the airport in 2018.

Tom Screen, aviation director of Birmingham Airport, added: "We have been planning for business as usual.

"However, the confirmation that all EU destinations will operate as they did last year further supports our passengers' choice to travel abroad on holiday.

"Jet2 is approaching its third-year anniversary at the airport and the airline is a huge success story based on the merits of its customer service as it sees passengers re-booking each year."