Monarch Airlines Builds Scheduled Network

Monarch Airlines has announced a significant expansion of its network into the Mediterranean for summer 2012 launching 14 new flight routes across Italy, Croatia and Greece. The new flights are part of Monarch’s expansion strategy revealed earlier this year that is focusing on its scheduled services and expanding its network to new leisure destinations across Europe.

The airline will take delivery of two additional Airbus A320s in March 2012 and this will facilitate the network expansion for the summer season. In the longer-term, Monarch plans to expand its fleet from 30 to 40 units with further expansion expected in the charter market, particularly on routes between the UK and North America.

The Mediterranean expansion will be spread across four UK airports. From Birmingham, Monarch will offer a five times weekly link to Rome; four times weekly flights to Milan Malpensa and Venice as well as twice weekly rotations to Dubrovnik and Heraklion. At Manchester, Monarch will introduce a four times weekly service to Milan Malpensa; three times weekly flights to Dubrovnik and Venice, and a twice weekly rotation to Verona. From London Gatwick it will introduce a six times weekly flight to Milan Malpensa, a four times weekly service to Venice, a three times weekly flight to Dubrovnik and twice weekly to Heraklion. Meanwhile, from London Luton it will offer a three times weekly service to Rome.

“The strategy for Monarch Airlines is now firmly focused on its scheduled operations and we are delighted to be adding these new routes to our already extensive network of leisure destinations across Europe,” said Kevin George, Managing Director, Monarch Airlines. “Adding Italy to our network will further reinforce our position as the leading leisure focused airline serving the Mediterranean and the Canaries.