The airline and operator will fly to Greece’s capital up to twice a week from Manchester and Birmingham this winter.

Services will depart on Thursdays and Sundays, with Jet2CityBreaks offering a range of three- to five-star hotel options in the city.

It means Jet2’s existing Athens flights will continue from summer 2022 into winter, operating through to 27 November.

They will then restart from 16 February 2023 and continue into its summer 2023 programme.

Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks is now timetabled to operated scheduled services to 12 city break destinations this winter, and is also offering a mini Christmas markets programme.

Steve Heapy, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays chief executive, said: “There is a lot of demand for city breaks this winter from customers and independent travel agents.

"As always, we want to deliver what our customers and independent travel agent partners want, so we are delighted to announce the launch of flights and city breaks to Athens for winter 2022/23 for the first time.

"Athens is a fantastic place to visit in the winter, as it is less crowded, and the weather is cooler while still offering plenty of things to see and do."