March 21, 2007: UK-based low-cost carrier Monarch Airline is to commence scheduled services from London Luton airport to Cyprus Larnaca airport, starting March 26, 2007. The airline will operate four services a week between the two destinations using Airbus A321 aircraft.

"The introduction of the four times per week service from Larnaca to London Luton will be the first low-cost scheduled flights to the UK from Cyprus, offering travelers the flexibility and low fares, not currently available through high fare flag carriers or on charter services," Monarch Airline said in a statement.

The new Larnaca service will priced at CYP31, excluding taxes, for a one way ticket. The services would be operated on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday using A321 planes fitted with 213 seats.

According to Monarch Airlines managing director (scheduled services) Tim Jeans, "We are delighted to be the first low fares airline to launch scheduled services from the Eastern Mediterranean, a market that has historically been dominated by the flag carriers and charter services."

Meanwhile, the carrier has also announced its winter schedule for the 2007-2008 that has increased frequencies and an additional route. The airline's winter schedule includes a new service between Manchester and Murcia that will commence operations from February 8, 2008.

The carrier's winter schedule would be operated from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Gatwick, Luton and Manchester, to some of the favourite winter destinations like Alicante, Almeria, Faro and Lanzarote. In addition, Monarch Airline will commence new routes to Larnaca and Almeria from Luton, and to Jerez de la Frontera from Manchester.

The airline will operate its first winter service with four flights per week to Palma, followed by five flights per week to Alicante. The other services would include four flights per week each to Almeria and Faro, two flights per week to Lanzarote, five flights per week to Malaga, seven flights per week to Tenerife and Lisbon, and three flights per week to Granada.

Winter Service Schedule

Palma - 4 flights per week
Alicante – 5 flights per week
Almeria – 4 flights per week
Faro – 4 flights per week
Lanzarote – 2 flights per week
Malaga – 5 flights per week
Murcia – 4 flights per week
Tenerife – 7 flights per week
Granada – 3 flights per week
Lisbon – 7 seven flights per week
Larnaca – 3 flights per week
Gibraltar – 6 six times per week
Menorca – 2 flights per week
Barcelona – 7 flights per week

Meanwhile, Monarch Airlines has also expanded its online check-in service to cover passengers travelling on scheduled flights from Gatwick Airport. The service, similar to the one from Manchester and Birmingham airports, and will allow passengers to check-in between 24 and four hours before departure.

Monarch's Liz Savage said: "We have been delighted by our passengers response to online check-in. Since its introduction in Birmingham and Manchester last year we have already seen up to 22 per cent of our scheduled passengers take advantage of the service, which has helped to speed up the check-in process and reduce the queuing time spent at the airport."

Monarch Airlines, headquartered in Luton, operates low-cost scheduled flights from London Gatwick, London Luton, Manchester and Birmingham airports. Its fleet comprises 28 modern jet aircraft, and the carrier flies over six million people to more than 100 destinations worldwide every year.