Travelling to Europe, whether for work or pleasure, may get that little bit easier - as low-cost airline, EasyJet, has announced a number of expansion developments at its Bristol base.

The airline will position a 17th aircraft at its South West base and has added three brand new routes to the Bristol network.

EasyJet will also provide even more frequent flights to some of Bristol's most in demand destinations, providing great value summer breaks or low-fared commutes for even more passengers.

A further 186-seat Airbus A320 aircraft will now be based in Bristol and joins seven 156-seat Airbus A319 and nine 186-seat A320 aircraft currently serving the airline's customers in the South West.

Three brand new routes have joined the EasyJet Bristol network, bringing the total routes now available to 74.

A route between Bristol and Milan Malpensa will operate four times a week throughout the year on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, with first flights taking off on 1st July.

Flights between Bristol and Brindisi in Southern Italy will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays and will launch on the 3rd July and flights between Bristol and Biarritz in the South of France will operate twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays with flights launching on 2nd July, both operating throughout the summer season.

EasyJet will also increase its Bristol - Paris Charles de Gaulle frequency, adding an additional daily flight to and from the French capital.

Ali Gayward, EasyJet's UK country manager, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be celebrating further expansion at Bristol Airport. The addition of another aircraft and even more routes will help us to deliver long term, sustainable growth at the base providing passengers with an even greater range of convenient flights to a fantastic variety of destinations across our network.

"Our ongoing growth at Bristol demonstrates easyJet's long-term commitment to providing connectivity for the South West. We continue to be the largest airline at Bristol and in the coming weeks we will carry our 55 millionth passenger, showing that our customers continue to book with confidence."

Nigel Scott, business development director for Bristol Airport said: "This is fantastic news as EasyJet continues to invest in Bristol Airport and basing seventeen aircraft at its second largest base.

"The additional aircraft will provide extra flights to Paris, and an additional three new destinations of Milan, Brindisi and Biarritz to the route network from Bristol Airport."