A full programme of European fly cruises and escorted holidays from Bournemouth Airport has been launched for 2016 by Bath Travel.

The news represents another major boost for the airport and is a return to Bath's major operations there.

The firm was taken over by Hays Travel in 2013 and managing director, John Hays, said: "I am absolutely thrilled we have been able to put these holidays together in conjunction with the airport and British Airways.

"We are very excited about the programme and the airport are delighted."

He added: "I am really aware of the history and traditions of Bath Travel and this marks a return to some of the big things the company has done here in the past."

Hays Travel which now the UK's largest independent travel agency, took over Bournemouth-based Bath Travel in 2013.

The programme includes a series of fly cruises around the Mediterranean featuring Greece and the Greek islands, Turkey, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro and Spain with Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and MSC.

Escorted tours include combinations of Spain, France, Italy and the Italian Lakes, Switzerland and an Orient Express/Northern Italy river cruise.

All the flights to and from Bournemouth will be operated by British Airways using Embraer aircraft. It's the first time BA has operated such a schedule from the airport.

Paul Knight, Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport said he was delighted: “Bath Travel has been closely linked with the airport for more than 50 years and we look forward to welcoming their passengers once again next year.

"Top quality fly-cruises and escorted tour holidays have always been popular with those living in our area, and I’m confident that this new programme will prove to be a great success.”