London Stansted has welcomed its latest airline as Greek carrier Air Mediterranean’s inaugural flight touched down from Athens.

The service is the airline’s first UK scheduled destination and will operate up to four times a week using the airline’s fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft.

Entertainers dressed in ancient Greek dress along with representatives from the airport welcomed the first flight to London Stansted today by handing out cupcakes to passengers as they arrived.

London Stansted aviation director, Mats Sigurdson, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Air Mediterranean to London Stansted as they launch their first UK services.

“This is great news and adds even more choice of airline to the already extensive European network on offer at the airport.”

Convenient flight times from London Stansted will also provide passengers with Air Mediterranean’s onward connections via Athens to the Middle East and Africa.

Air Mediterranean owner, George Hallak, said: “We are delighted to be launching our first scheduled services from Athens and expect the routes to be a remarkable success.”