As winter's grip tightens on Britain, holidaymakers are already looking ahead to sun-drenched escapes in 2026, and airlines are delivering with a significant expansion of routes. Major carriers have confirmed plans to launch flights to 31 new destinations from various UK airports next year, offering travellers more choice than ever before.
Major Airport Expansions
Newcastle Airport emerges as the biggest winner in this expansion, with easyJet preparing to establish a new operational base there in spring 2026. This strategic move will see the budget airline add 11 new routes from Newcastle, significantly boosting connectivity from the North East. The new destinations span popular Mediterranean hotspots and European city breaks, providing a substantial tourism boost to the region.
Meanwhile, East Midlands Airport is set for its own transformation with Jet2 confirming seven exciting new routes. Travellers from the Midlands will gain direct access to Croatian gems like Split and Pula, Greek islands including Chania and Preveza, and the exotic appeal of Agadir in Morocco.
Comprehensive Destination List
The expansion spans multiple airlines and airports across the country. From London Heathrow, British Airways will introduce a new service to St Louis, USA from April 2026, while London Gatwick sees Bangkok upgraded to year-round service.
The complete list of new destinations includes:
Newcastle Airport with easyJet: Antalya, Turkey (from March 29, 2026); Dalaman, Turkey (from March 31, 2026); Rhodes, Greece (Summer 2026); Corfu, Greece (from April 3, 2026); Faro, Portugal (from March 29, 2026); Malta (from March 30, 2026); Prague, Czechia (from August 2, 2026); Reus, Spain (from March 31, 2026); Nice, France (from March 29, 2026); Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (from August 3, 2026); Enfidha, Tunisia (from March 29, 2026).
East Midlands Airport: Antalya, Turkey with SunExpress (Easter 2026); Agadir, Morocco with Jet2 (Summer 2026); Costa de Almeria, Spain with Jet2 (Summer 2026); Preveza, Greece with Jet2 (Summer 2026); Thessaloniki, Greece with Jet2 (Summer 2026); Chania, Greece with Jet2 (Summer 2026); Pula, Croatia with Jet2 (Summer 2026); Split, Croatia with Jet2 (Summer 2026); Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt with TUI (Easter 2026, re-introduction).
Other airports seeing new services include Bristol with routes to Reus and Thessaloniki, Stansted adding La Palma and Jerez, Manchester expanding to La Palma and Samos, and Birmingham introducing flights to Samos and Rome.
What This Means for Travellers
This significant route expansion represents the largest single-year growth in UK airport connectivity since before the pandemic. The majority of these new flights will commence in spring 2026, continuing throughout the peak summer season, perfectly timed for family holidays and summer getaways.
The increased competition and choice is expected to make holiday planning more flexible and potentially more affordable for British travellers. With everything from exotic long-haul destinations to classic European beach resorts now more accessible, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for UK holidaymakers seeking new adventures.
