Manchester Airport Expands Its Summer 2026 Network with Exciting New Routes Across Europe

Travellers across the North of England have a lot to look forward to this summer, as Manchester Airport adds twelve new destinations to its 2026 schedule — spanning Europe, North Africa, and beyond. More choice, better value, and no long drive south required.

The summer 2026 expansion spans an impressive range of countries, including Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Algeria, and the Canary Islands, among others. Airlines including easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, and Air Algerie are all operating new services as part of the expanded schedule, with a mix of popular holiday hotspots and genuinely fresh destinations that have rarely been accessible directly from the North of England before.

The routes cater to virtually every type of traveller — whether you are after a sun-soaked beach break, a cultural city escape, a family holiday, or something a little more adventurous and off the beaten track.​​​​​​​

Southern France enters the mix with new direct access to Montpellier — a lively, youthful city with a beautiful historic centre, excellent local wine, and easy access to the beaches of the Languedoc coast. It is a fantastic choice for travellers looking for something a little different from the usual French city break.

Greece continues to be one of the most popular destinations for British holidaymakers, and this summer brings fresh options. Preveza, a mainland Greek town that acts as the gateway to the stunning Ionian island of Lefkada, is among the new additions — ideal for those seeking turquoise waters and peaceful island scenery without the crowds of more commercial Greek resorts.

Spain, as ever, is well represented. Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia — the home of sherry, flamenco, and Spanish horsemanship — offers a rich cultural experience, while Castellón on the eastern Mediterranean coast provides a more relaxed, authentic alternative to busier Spanish resorts.​​​​​​​

The expansion also brings new direct access to Pula in Croatia, a destination beloved for its Roman ruins and crystal-clear Adriatic waters. Sicily's capital, Palermo, joins the schedule too, offering one of Europe's most vibrant and underrated city break experiences. Samos in the Greek Aegean is another welcome addition for island lovers, while La Palma in the Canary Islands — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — brings year-round sunshine and dramatic volcanic scenery to the mix.

The summer expansion is not limited to European shores. New long-haul services to Algiers in Algeria and Lahore in Pakistan further broaden Manchester's international reach, providing important direct connections for both leisure travellers and those visiting family across North Africa and South Asia.

For UK travellers based in the Midlands or the North, this is genuinely exciting news. More direct routes mean less time in transit, lower costs, and a far broader range of holiday options — all from one of the country's best-connected regional airports.

At Crystal Travel, our team is ready to help you explore everything this expanded summer schedule has to offer. Get in touch today and let us plan your perfect 2026 getaway.