People flying from Bristol Airport will be able to visit four new European destinations this summer, as Britain’s flagship airline returns to Lulsgate.

British Airways has announced it will begin direct flights in May from Bristol to Palma, Ibiza and Malaga, in Spain, and the Italian city of Florence.

The return flights will operate once a week at weekends.

It is 10 years since the famous British Airways colours have been seen in Bristol, after its regional airline business was sold to Flybe in 2007.

The airport’s chief executive, Robert Sinclair, told the Mercury he was incredibly excited by this latest addition to its timetable.

Mr Sinclair said: “We are delighted with the announcement which will see the iconic British Airways brand returning to Bristol Airport.

“It will be the first time an airline has operated a scheduled service between Bristol and the historic Italian city of Florence, which we are sure will prove very popular with passengers.

“These additional flights to Palma, Florence, Ibiza and Malaga offers passengers in the South West and Wales region further choice of scheduled flights for the summer season.

“We look forward to working with British Airways on the new routes and further enhancing the services available from Bristol.”

Single fares will cost British Airways’ passengers £45-59.

Luke Hayhoe, British Airways’ general manager commercial and customer, said people living in North Somerset will benefit from the new routes as they will ensure even easier access to some of Europe’s sunniest destinations.

He said: “We are very excited to be returning to Bristol with four very popular routes.

“Customers can once again enjoy competitively priced flights to the sun direct from their doorstep with British Airways to those destinations that they tell us they want to fly to.

“We look forward to a busy summer at Bristol.”