More flights will be leaving for Croatia from Kent International Airport, Manston, this year because of a "phenomenal" interest in Balkan holidays.

Newmarket Holidays has chartered additional flights to Croatia because it says it proved hugely popular when it made its debut as a destination last year.

Four different itineraries for Croatian holidays are among the 18 different packages Newmarket has unveiled for 2009. Venice, Lake Garda, Rome, Sorrento, Tuscany, Pompeii, Salzburg and Innsbruck are also highlights of Newmarket’s escorted tours from Kent International Airport.

The company's first flight of the year from Manston is to Malta on April 14.

Alison Keeble, regional charter director at Newmarket Holidays, said: "We were testing the water with flights to Croatia last year but the response was phenomenal."

She added: "Last year was a very good one for us and while people are understandably being cautious with their money day-to-day this year, for many of our customers a summer holiday is an essential ingredient of a happy life. The opportunity to get away from it all and unwind has never been more attractive."

David Bell, Commercial and Marketing Manager at Kent International Airport, said Newmarket's holidays had always proved popular with Kent residents.

"Passengers flying from Kent International benefit from low cost car parking beside the terminal building, 60 minute check in times with no long walks to the departure gate, and a more relaxing airport experience," he said.