Thousands of people have been clamouring to book flights with new airline Jet2, based at Leeds Bradford International Airport.

Tickets were only on sale for a matter of hours before phone lines and the website were jammed.

The low cost airline started selling tickets at 10am yesterday, but the company soon realised that the demand was unprecedented.

Bosses at the airport have said that the introduction of the airline - set to rival the likes of easyJet and go! - will increase passenger numbers by a third.

Philip Meeson, Jet2's chief executive said: "With well over 22,000 hits on our website and over 12,000 people registered, the response from the region to the arrival of Jet2 has been phenomenal.

"We are confident that we'll get off to a flying start.

"So if you're thinking of a last minute Christmas present, or wanting to plan your summer holidays now, get booking."

The first new planes, with their distinctive logo and eye catching silver colour, arrived at the airport yesterday.

Ed Anderson, managing director of Leeds Bradford International Airport said: "Interest in this airline has been exceptional.

"The fact that people will be able to book low cost travel to so many popular destinations just in time for Christmas means that the people of the region can start to plan now for their summer breaks.

"These six destinations are great news for both business travellers and holiday makers.

"We expect to receive a fantastic response from people across the whole of Yorkshire as three of the new destinations, Nice, Milan and Barcelona, are brand new for Leeds Bradford and for the region."

Destinations one way, including taxes are to Amsterdam from £15, Barcelona from £22, Malaga from £19, Nice from £32, Majorca from £19, and Milan (Bergamot) from £32.

The flights will start to run from February starting with Amsterdam, and all will be running by Easter.

Some more destinations are likely to be decided upon during the winter months.

In October Philip Meeson, chief executive of Jet 2, invited would be travellers in the region to let him know where they would most like to travel to. Leeds Bradford International Airport had an overwhelming response with over 4,000 e-mails from people recommending their favourite destinations.

The number one destination that people would most like to travel to is Malaga, closely followed by Barcelona and in third place another Spanish destination Alicante.

People wanting to book flights can call the Jet2 call centre on 0870 737 8282 or log onto www.Jet2.com.