LOW-COST airline bmibaby last night announced a number of new destinations from Teesside International Airport.

Bosses said the move would bolster the airport's drive to boost passenger numbers to four million by 2015.

Flights to Belfast, Malaga and Geneva have already increased passenger numbers by 8.5 per cent compared to a year ago.

Last night, bmibaby said it would be increasing services during the summer season.

Its planes will fly seven routes, offering more than 40 flights each week between Teesside and Alicante, Belfast (International), Jersey, Malaga, Nice, Palma and Prague.

Tony Davis, managing director of bmibaby, said: "We are delighted to be on sale with our summer routes from Teesside. We have considerably increased the destinations on offer from just three for our first winter of operation, to seven for the summer.

"We are offering a variety of leisure and business destinations, which we believe will include something to suit everyone, from sizzling Spanish sun to the gothic culture of the Czech capital, Prague."

Seats for the flights are already on sale.

The bmibaby deal is crucial to Teesside's future as a regional passenger hub.

Newcastle Airport already has a fruitful relationship with easyJet, and the bmibaby contract allows Teesside to compete with its larger regional rival.

Hugh Lang, managing director of Teesside International Airport hailed the announcement as: "Excellent news for the region, local travellers and the airport.

"We are sure that all the routes will be very popular, especially with the fares on offer. The destinations currently being operated by bmibaby to Belfast, Geneva and Malaga have already been well supported, and we are confident that the summer schedule will be also."

The summer programme will significantly improve links between Teesside and Spain, with bmibaby offering an additional route to the mainland with three-times-weekly flights to Alicante and Majorca.

Flights to Belfast start from £12.50, flights to Jersey start from £25, and flights to Nice and Prague start from £30. Fares to other Mediterranean routes start from £40.

* The routes, which are on sale from today, can be booked online at bmibaby.com, or by calling 0870 264 2229. Flights to Belfast and Prague begin on March 28, while services to all other destinations start on April 30.