Two new routes to Blackpool International Airport have given the resort an end-of-illuminations tourism boost.

The first ever Monarch flight from Malaga to Squires Gate last Thursday brought in 103 visitors from Spain while a Jet2 flight from Belfast sold out well before take off.

And airline chiefs have hailed the impact the new flights will have on Blackpool and the north west.

Paul Whelan, chief executive of airport owners, City Hoppers Ltd, said: "In our 16 months in control of Blackpool International Airport passenger numbers have risen dramatically.

"We have made it possible for many thousands of people from other parts of the UK and overseas to fly directly into Europe's greatest holiday resort."

Tim Jeans, managing director of Monarch Scheduled Airlines, said: "As far as we can tell this route is going to be a great commercial success.

"We have had more than 10,000 bookings at the point of the first flight. Eighty per cent of passengers on routes such of this usually originate in the UK, so this is testament to the good work being done to promote Blackpool as a destination market. The press coverage we got for Blackpool and the region was fantastic." Blackpool's head of tourism, Jane Seddon, said: "To have 103 people travelling here from Spain on the first flight too is fantastic.

" The development of the airport since City Hoppers took over has been phenomenal."

On Friday it was the turn of Jet2 to take centre stage, filling their inaugural flight from Belfast to its 148 capacity.

Jet2 chairman, Philip Meeson, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be adding Blackpool to our extensive portfolio of Northern bases and are hugely encouraged - as should the region be - with the sell-out of our first ever inbound flight to Blackpool.

"The people of Northern Ireland certainly rate brilliant Blackpool as one of their top holiday destinations."

Jet2 will also offer services to Palma and Murcia from next spring.

The other major development for the airport on Thursday was the beginning of work to extend the airport's terminal building.

The £2 million overhaul, due for completion in the New Year, will see the installation of new check in desks, state-of-the-art luggage scanning machines and vastly improved passenger facilities.