HOLIDAY firms Thomson and First Choice are set to double capacity at Leeds Bradford Airport next summer – with the introduction of new routes to Menorca, Ibiza, Rhodes, Tenerife and the addition of another weekly flight for existing Mallorca and Turkey routes.

The decision follows the launch earlier this year of exclusive routes from Leeds Bradford to Sharm El Sheikh and Tunisia.

The move to introduce these routes is part of the UK’s largest tour operator’s strategy to ensure customers across the UK can fly from their local airport and stay at the best hotels in some of the most exciting destinations.

Not only will customers from Yorkshire be able to fly to far-flung destinations, they will also have the opportunity to choose varying durations – not just the standard seven and 14 night stays.

The changes also mean that Thomson and First Choice will be the only tour operator flying customers to Sharm El Sheikh and Tunisia from Leeds/Bradford in Summer, 2013 – and Thomson Cruises will be operating the largest flight/cruise programme out of the airport to Majorca, Corfu and Turkey.

Paul Cooper, airport negotiations manager for Thomson and First Choice, said: “Doubling capacity at Leeds Bradford Airport demonstrates our continued commitment to the Yorkshire region and following the success of our expanded programme announced earlier in the year at the airport, we know that the demand is there.”

Tony Hallwood, marketing director at the airport, said: “’LBA is delighted to see the widening of holiday choice for both Thomson and First Choice in summer, 2013, from West Yorkshire.”