Low-cost airline Ryanair will begin flying from Manchester Airport to the French coastal city of Marseille for the first time this summer.
The new seasonal route to the Mediterranean port city will operate throughout the summer until October 2022. The connection will offer further choice for travellers flying from Manchester Airport. The travel sector is predicting a busy summer season for holidaymakers eager to take advantage of restriction free international travel following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new route from Marseille, along with a seasonal connection from East Midlands Airport, also operated by Manchester Airports Group, to Abruzzo, brings Ryanair’s total UK routes up to 539 for its summer schedule.
The summer route to Marseille from Manchester Airport from Ryanair is just one a number of additional services being put on by airlines from the Northern hub as the aviation sector gears up for high demand for holidays abroad in 2022. TUI has also announced earlier this month a number of additional services being put on to popular destinations from Manchester.
February saw passenger numbers travelling from MAG airports reach their highest levels since the pandemic began, with over 2.4 million travellers using its three UK airports, especially during the February half-term break from schools. Last month marked an end to Covid-19 testing requirements for vaccinated passengers arriving in the UK, reducing the costs and hassle of travelling for most holidaymakers.
Passenger numbers however remain depressed at around 60% of pre-pandemic levels. Despite this, the airport and wider aviation sector is a busy summer 2022 and is expecting pent up demand to be released now that restrictions on overseas travel and Covid-19 testing requirements are relaxed, both in the UK and in popular holiday destinations around the world.
