David Osborne, easyJet’s UK General Manager, said:

"The launch of this new easyJet route to Milan, which is not currently served from Bristol Airport, has been hotly anticipated by the people of the south west and forward bookings are strong. Not only is this new service ideal for cultural city-breaks away but is also great news for business travellers who will be able to take advantage of easyJet's famously low fares and flexible travel benefits.”

easyJet has expanded significantly from Bristol Airport in the last few years and now offers a significant choice of 35 direct routes across Europe.”

Tony Hallwood, Aviation Development Director at Bristol Airport, said:

“Milan is an important destination for many businesses in the south west, so we are delighted easyJet is adding this route to its growing list of destinations from Bristol Airport so soon after the withdrawal of BA Connect.

“In addition, the region’s leisure travellers will now be able to visit Italy’s fashion and shopping capital for affordable short breaks or as the base for summer breaks or winter ski trips.”

This new Milan route is the second service to be launched this year by easyJet, following Bordeaux flights, which commenced in March. The airline has also announced new routes to Ibiza and Warsaw this year, which commence on 14 July and 2 October respectively, as well as an increase of frequency in its Paris service from one to two flights daily from 8 May.