Monarch Airlines will announce about 10 new scheduled routes within the next couple of weeks, commercial director Jochen Schnadt told TravelMole yesterday.
Most will be winter sun destinations, but he said the airline was also keen to launch "a proper ski programme" for the first time. It is looking at flying to airports in the northern and western Alps, he said.
Having just launched flights to Milan and Verona, Schnadt said the airline would be able to take skiers to Italy, but it is hoping to add further routes this winter.
In total, Monarch has added 14 new routes across Italy, Croatia and Greece already this year as part of its strategy, announced last June, to focus on scheduled services and expand to new leisure destinations across the Mediterranean.
In addition to Milan and Verona, it is flying to Venice, Rome and Dubrovnik for the first time. Managing director Kevin George said it was keen to add more traditional city destinations to serve the leisure market.
"Our charter airline will always be there, but we want to expand our scheduled services," he said.
Schnadt added: We are talking to several airports and we are looking to see who will give us the most support in terms of incentives but also in promoting the routes, to get passengers to these destinations."
Monarch has added two new A320 aircraft to its fleet this month, and it to grow from around 30 aircraft to a total of 40.
By Linsey McNeill
