Ryanair has announced flights from Bournemouth Airport to Chania on the Greek island of Crete, a seaside city that has been named among the country’s most beautiful.

The brand-new service will operate on Mondays and Saturdays from June 2 and is part of the airline’s biggest-ever schedule of holiday destinations from the Dorset town. Single tickets between the two airports start at £56.99 and are on sale now.

Tourists will also be able to catch more flights from Bournemouth to Rhodes, Greece, and Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.

Journeys to Rhodes will depart on Wednesdays and Sundays from June 1, and the service to Fuerventura will launch on Tuesdays and Fridays from April 1.

Bournemouth Airport managing director Steve Gill said: “The Greek islands and Canaries are always hugely popular and have been a mainstay of our schedules for many years.

“The addition of these three twice-weekly destinations with Ryanair, including a brand-new route to Chania, means local people will have even more choice and flexibility for their summer breaks.”

The airport recently revealed that passenger numbers this summer were up by over 103,000 compared to last year, with over 840,000 people travelling between April and October. This puts it on track to surpass one million passengers in 2024 – something it hasn’t achieved since 2008.

Chania’s Old Town, which sits on the northwest coast of Crete, is a particular tourist draw, offering visitors the chance to explore an intricate labyrinth of hidden passageways, lined with traditional Greek tavernas.

Flights to Chania International Airport already operate from major airports in London, Manchester and Birmingham, with a short taxi or bus ride taking visitors right to the heart of the historic city.

It’s the perfect place for an early summer getaway, with the region’s Mediterranean climate seeing highs of 30C in June and July – just in time to make the most of the new Bournemouth route and give yourself something to look forward to during the UK’s cool and drizzly winter months.