Kent International Airport’s 2008 charter holiday season has got off to a flying start with the start of passenger flights serving eight destinations.

Kent Escapes’ first charter flight departed for Majorca with 176 of 178 seats full last Friday.

The successful opening to the season will be closely followed by the inaugural flight to Jersey on Saturday, May 10, operated by Channel Islands Travel. The flight is fully booked, and the tour operator is expecting a bumper year with flights to Jersey from Kent International.

Newmarket Holidays, one of the UK’s largest independently owned specialist tour operators, is also offering popular vacations such as Croatia, Madeira, Lake Garda and Malta.

KIA chief executive Matt Clarke said: “It is great to see the start of the summer flights programme when once again local residents will be able to enjoy the pleasure of flying from KIA with its easy low cost parking and uncongested roads, which can’t be said of many other airports in the south east.”

The start of the summer season coincides with news that for the first time in its history, Infratil, the airport’s parent company, has gained a place in the NZX 10 Index, the largest and most frequently traded shares in New Zealand companies.

The airport also reported that the number of people it directly employs has increased by 15 per cent since December 2006 to 91, with other airport-based employers taking the total to more than 100.

Infratil’s other UK investment, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, also reported a strong performance in March signalling a strong end to the 2007/08 financial year thanks to new destinations which have included Katowice, Belfast, Budapest, Cork and Poznan.

Matt Clarke added: “A recent economic study found that inbound visitors using Glasgow Prestwick spent £173 million last year, while the airport’s presence accounts for 3,000 jobs in Scotland. Kent International Airport has the potential to bring similar benefits to the county and south east.”

Holiday operators at Kent International Airport:

Kent Escapes is a brand of Seguro Holidays; CI Travel Service Ltd operates the brands Jersey Travel and Discover Jersey: Newmarket Holidays.