New airport reveals flight routes

Robin Hood Airport will provide a wide range of flights

Holidaymakers will be able to fly to a mix of popular European sunshine spots and cities from South Yorkshire's new airport, it has been revealed.

Countries including Spain, France and Italy will be among the destinations when Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport opens in spring 2005.

Thomsonfly, the first airline to commit to the site, said prices will start at about £20 and go on sale at Christmas.

The company will have four planes based at the former RAF base at Finningley.

Flight destinations Alicante Amsterdam Barcelona Belfast Ibiza Jersey Malaga Marseilles Naples Nice Palma Pisa Prague Rome Salzburg Valencia Venice

Chris Mottershead, Thomson Holidays managing director, said: "This is a very exciting development for Thomson and shows that we're committed to offering a wide range of great value holidays and flights from local airports.

"We know that people like flying from airports which are convenient to get to and from, which is why we're so pleased to add Robin Hood Airport to our flying programme."

Mr Mottershead said the company was aiming to attract a broad spectrum of holidaymakers to the airport.

Destinations will include European cities such as Barcelona, Prague and Venice as well as sun spots like Malaga, Palma and Nice.

Nigel Tomlinson, Chief Executive, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce said: "This is excellent news and an excellent starting point for organisations in Sheffield wishing to expand their businesses further into Europe."

Mr Tomlinson said he would also be keen to see links developed with cities such as Barcelona and Milan in the future.