Wizz Air has launched its first flight from London Luton to Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city.

The new service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and connects UK passengers to one of Ukraine’s major cultural and scientific hubs.

Currently the second largest operator at the airport, this year has been a year of significant growth for Wizz Air’s Luton operations.

The airline has over 7.1 million seats on sale on 53 services, representing a 20 per cent increase year-on-year.

Wizz Air UK now has five Airbus A320 and four A321 aircraft allocated to its Luton base, creating 350 direct jobs in the local area.

Owain Jones, managing director, Wizz Air UK, said: “Wizz Air is pleased to announce the launch of flights from London Luton to Kharkiv – a truly undiscovered gem of major cultural significance.

“This new service is the most recent of seven exciting UK route launches in the past month, as Wizz Air continues to expand its UK operations and bring low cost travel opportunities to UK customers.

“We look forward to welcoming passengers on board one of Europe’s youngest and most efficient fleets to discover Kharkiv and the other unique destinations across Wizz Air’s extensive network.”