Wizz Air will set up a new base at Cardiff airport next year, its fourth in the UK, offering flights to nine destinations – including Sharm El Sheikh.
The budget carrier will base a single Airbus A321 aircraft at Cardiff, where it will operate year-round Alicante, Faro, Larnaca and Tenerife services.
Seasonal services, meanwhile, include Corfu, Crete and Palma in the summer, and Lanzarote and Sharm in the winter.
Wizz says the base will increase annual capacity at Cardiff by 350,000 seats, with the first flights due to get under way in March.
It will also create 40 jobs, and support another 250 in the supply chain.
Owain Jones, Wizz Air managing director, said: "This reflects Wizz Air’s continued commitment to serving the UK market and generating economic growth, as we create local jobs, stimulate the tourism and hospitality industries, and deliver on our promise of providing affordable, direct flights to exciting holiday destinations."
Cardiff was hit by the collapse of Flybe earlier this year, with both Welsh transport minister Ken Skates and Cardiff airport interim chief executive Spencer Birns warmly welcoming Wizz’s arrival.
"These new flights will give so many more opportunities for holidays to be planned now that will give us all something to look forward to for next year," said Birns.
This year, Wizz has announced new Gatwick and Doncaster Sheffield bases after several years building its presence at Luton.
Wizz’s proposed Cardiff programme will feature:
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