The airline and operator last month revealed Bournemouth as its 12th UK base whereby it put up to 27 weekly flights on sale to 16 destinations.

These include options across Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as mainland Spain, the Canary Islands and Portugal’s Madeira.

Jet2 hailed the response to the launch "truly phenomenal" unlocking "years of demand" from customers and independent agents in Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth, and the south of England more widely.

The top five performing destinations from Bournemouth so far are Antalya, Tenerife, Dalaman, Majorca and Rhodes. The inaugural flight from the two-aircraft base will depart for Tenerife on 1 April.

Jet2 said it had seen "strong and sustained demand" since going on sale at Bournemouth, with "thousands of holidaymakers" booking since flights and holidays went on sale.

Steve Heapy, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays chief executive, said: “We know customers and independent travel agents had been waiting keenly for us to make this move, and the reaction to the launch has reflected this.

"From day one, and over the past four weeks, the response to our flights and holidays going on sale from Bournemouth airport has been truly phenomenal, and we are delighted at how well the launch has been received. Customers and independent travel agents are clearly relishing the chance to book."

Heapy added: "Since launching one month ago today [26 April], we saw an immediate surge in bookings from Bournemouth airport, and that demand shows no sign of slowing down."