The first-ever direct service between Leeds-Bradford Airport and the Portuguese holiday island of Madeira has been launched by budget airline Jet2.com.

The weekly flights will begin next February and run until October, and will be the Yeadon-based airline’s 41st route operating from LBIA. The new flights follow the successful launch of a similar service from Manchester airport this year.

Jet2.com managing director Ian Doubtfire, who celebrated the launch of the new service with a special Madeira cake with LBIA commercial director Tony Hallwood, said: “With beautiful weather, stunning scenery and so much to see and do, we are confident that Madeira will captivate the region’s holidaymakers, and we are delighted to be offering Yorkshire’s only direct service to the island.”