Ryanair has confirmed it will open its 45th base at Manchester in October 2011 initially with two based aircraft and 17 routes.

The figures will grow to four aircraft and 26 routes by summer 2012 chief executive Michael O’Leary announced earlier.

Ryanair’s new base will accommodate up to 2 million passengers each year, with the low-cost carrier stating the move will create 2,000 jobs.

Up to 260 weekly flights will operate each with, as Ryanair invests over up to $280 million at Manchester Airport.

Destinations will include Barcelona, Paris and Rome.

O’Leary said: “Ryanair’s two million passengers per annum will sustain up to 2,000 jobs at Manchester Airport and in the surrounding region.”

City.Mobi

Also in the UK today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Manchester.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

Manchester.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.