After a record-breaking year for low cost airline Monarch Scheduled, who saw passenger numbers soaring to over 2.6 million for the first time, the airline is announcing it’s Summer 2006 flying programme.The schedule, which includes the introduction of six new services and capacity increases on no fewer than nine routes across the network, helps consolidate Monarch’s position as the leading low cost carrier from the UK to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands.

Highlights from the Summer 2006 schedule as follows:

Manchester - Menorca - new route for Summer 06, with 4 flights per week - Malaga - increases to three flights daily, which equates to 220,000 seats available throughout the summer; a 20% capacity increase on Summer 05 - Faro - increases to two flights daily; a 50% capacity increase on Summer 05 - Palma de Mallorca - increases to ten flights per week; a 42% capacity increase on Summer 05

Blackpool - Malaga - continues to operate direct services with four flights per week

Aberdeen - Malaga - continues to operate direct services with three flights per week

Birmingham - Murcia - new route for Summer 06, with four flights per week - Almeria - new route for Summer 06, with three flights per week - Menorca - new route for Summer 06, with three flights per week - Palma de Mallorca - new route for Summer 06, with a weekly flight - Malaga - increases to two flights per day on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; a 40% capacity increase on Summer 05 - Faro - increases to daily flights; a 600% capacity increase on Summer 05

London Gatwick - Lisbon - increases to ten flights per week; a 43% capacity increase on Summer 05 - Faro - increases to ten flights per week; a 25% capacity increase on Summer 05

London Luton - Palma de Mallorca - new route for Summer 06, with one flight per week - Menorca - increases to four flights per week; a 33% capacity increase on Summer 05 - Tenerife - increases to eight flights per week; a 60% capacity increase on Summer 05

Commenting on the network and capacity expansion for Summer 2006, Tim Jeans, managing director of Monarch Scheduled said, “our route network throughout Europe has continued to grow strongly from all bases throughout 2005.

The introduction of new destinations and additional frequencies on our most popular routes for Summer 2006 will help to maintain our position as market leader to Spain from both Manchester and Birmingham and also positions us as the leading scheduled carrier to the Canary Islands from the UK.”

Seats on Monarch Scheduled flights are available from GBP41.50* one way including taxes and web booking discount (GBP78.50 return) and can be booked via www.flymonarch.com

Monarch Scheduled operates flights to Spain, Gibraltar and Portugal from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Blackpool, London Gatwick, London Luton, Manchester and Newquay.

Fares include complimentary daily newspapers and a refreshing hot towel service; also available is a unique range of tasty hot and cold meals with prices from GBP3.00.

Seats can be pre-booked at GBP5 per one-way flight to avoid the last minute free-for-all, or you might prefer to try one of the 48 extra-legroom seats which offer up to six inches of extra space and are available from just GBP10 each way.

Regular travellers are rewarded too, with a range of benefits through the airline’s loyalty scheme, Vantage Club.
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