THREE new European destinations will be added to Bristol Airport’s schedule next year.

Flights to Corsica, Frankfurt and Hamburg will all be started in the coming weeks. All three routes will be run by bmi regional.

Robert Sinclair, the airport’s chief executive officer, said the introduction of more German flights had come about after the airport conducted a survey of most wanted destinations.

Hamburg will be the first new destination added to the timetable when a five times a week service begins on February 11. In April a further seven flights a week will be provided by bmi regional.

The Frankfurt route will take off at the end of March with six flights per week.

And Corsican Places has teamed up with bmi regional to offer a new route to the picturesque Mediterranean island, beginning on June 23 with the inaugural flight to Bastia.

Aviation director Shaun Browne said he was thrilled to add Corsica to the airport’s schedule.

He said: “The flight to Bastia brings an attractive new holiday destination within easy reach direct from Bristol.

“With a flight every week between the middle of June and September, there will be plenty of opportunities for holidaymakers across the South West and Wales to explore the beautiful island of Corsica.”

The announcements come on the back of one of the airport’s busiest periods.

An estimated 56,000 passengers passed through the terminal during the weekend before Christmas as the festive getaway proved as popular as ever.