The new airline will start flights during the Easter

East Midlands Airport has confirmed its full list of 45 direct routes for 2026, including one being launched by a brand-new airline.

The airport’s 2026 programme includes dozens of flights to the sun-kissed Mediterranean, such as Malta, Paphos and Rhodes.

One major change for next year is a brand new airline which will start operating from East Midlands for the first time from next Easter.

SunExpress will be flying to Antalya, one of Turkey's top holiday destinations, up to three times a week through to October.

Booking is already open for flights in 2026 with SunExpress - a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines - which after strong growth in Germany will be operating from 14 airports in the UK and Ireland by next summer.

Meanwhile for 2026 Jet2 has added five new destinations, offering greater holiday options in central Europe and northern Africa.

The new routes on sale for next summer are Preveza, Thessaloniki and Chania (Greece), and Pula (Croatia), while Agadir (Morocco) will be new for next winter.

Jet2 has also added extra flights and holidays for Jersey, with new Saturday services through to October, providing customers a route to the Channel Islands following the collapse of Blue Islands.

SunExpress will be flying to Antalya from East Midlands Airport in 2026 | AFP via Getty Images

placeholder image — SunExpress will be flying to Antalya from East Midlands Airport in 2026 | AFP via Getty Images

Also new for summer next year are flights to the popular Egyptian destination of Sharm El Sheikh, after TUI announced it was reintroducing the route following strong customer demand.

The route was last operated during Summer 2023 and will operate again twice-weekly from next Easter.

This follows TUI’s introduction this summer of brand-new destination Boa Vista in Cape Verde, along with Burgas on Bulgaria’s coastline, available again next year.

East Midlands Airport’s Customer Services and Planning Director Mike Grimes said: “We are so looking forward to summer 2026 – it’s going to be great to welcome SunExpress for the first time and to be able to offer new destinations to our customers.

“We’re always looking at ways to improve the choice and experience for customers and these new routes, along with ongoing improvements in the terminal, mean that summer 2026 is shaping up to be a great one for everyone who chooses East Midlands for an effortless start to their holidays.”