Budget airline easyJet has continued to develop its offering from Bristol Airport with the launch of three new routes, taking its total number of destinations from the airport to more than 70.
The airline, which this summer added an 18th aircraft to its Bristol-based fleet, introduced a new twice weekly service to Agadir in Morocco last week and this week started flights to Istanbul, pictured, also on a twice-a-week basis. 
Next month it will launch two flights a week to Tromso in Norway, starting on 5 December.
The additional routes mean easyJet, already Bristol’s largest operator accounting for more than half all its flights, will be operating its largest-ever flight schedule this winter and into next summer.
Two of the three new destinations have not previously been accessible by direct flights from Bristol – with easyJet going head-to-head against rival airline Jet2 on the Agadir route.
The introduction of flights to Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city and a major tourist destination, pictured below, means travellers from Bristol Airport can now travel direct to three locations in the country this winter, with Jet2 and SunExpress – the joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines – operating services to Antalya, and Jet2 also flying to Dalaman.
Tromso, a popular skiing resort, is the only Norwegian destination with a direct link from Bristol Airport. 
EasyJet said the introduction of the new routes was in response to continued strong demand from customers in the region who wanted even greater choice and more convenient connections to key European leisure destinations.
EasyJet UK country manager Ali Gayward said the service to Istanbul provided its customers in the South West with a direct connection to one of Europe’s most popular and culturally exciting cities.
“Coming hot on the heels of our recently launched route to Agadir and soon to start service Tromso, customers in the region have even more choice of where to fly with great value fares.”
Bristol Airport CEO Dave Lees added: “We are thrilled to welcome easyJet’s new routes to Istanbul in Turkey and Agadir in Morocco. These exciting new destinations add to the extensive route network and flexibility of flights available from Bristol Airport, and it shows the strength in demand from customers in the South West and Wales wishing to travel further afield.
“Istanbul is a great city for business and leisure, so it’s good news for many of our customers, who can now fly from their local airport.
“It also opens up a wide range of connecting flights for those looking to explore Asia and beyond.
“The new route to Agadir will allow travellers to escape the colder months and enjoy the warm Moroccan heat and the many water sport activities it has to offer.
“We look forward to working with easyJet on further new route opportunities including Tromso in the coming months.”
This summer was Bristol Airport’s busiest ever and it is now running at full capacity while its biggest capital project for more than two decades takes place to increase capacity to 12m passengers a year.
