The flight marks the start of an extensive flying programme for Primera from Birmingham, with Palma departing later on Tuesday 14th May and New York launching on Friday 18th May. Toronto, Las Palmas, Alicante, Barcelona, Crete and Reykjavik will also start in the coming months.

Tom Screen, Acting Aviation Director, said: “It was great to welcome the airline on this sunny morning here at Birmingham Airport and to celebrate their new Midlands operation by giving the aircraft a water arch on departure.

“These additional frequencies to Malaga and Palma complement the existing services we have to the Med and Primera’s low fares will, I’m sure, be welcomed by Midlanders. “With new direct services to New York and Toronto launching soon with Primera too, we are offering passengers the chance to fly across the pond non-stop, low cost several times weekly.”

Anastasija Visnakova, Chief Commercial Officer at Primera Air, commented: “It was a pleasure to welcome our passengers this morning on the inaugural service to Malaga. The range of destinations, both European and transatlantic, at fantastic prices creates more choice for passengers travelling from Birmingham Airport.

“We have growth plans for Birmingham and we look forward to working with the airport and serving the region’s leisure and business travellers throughout 2018 and beyond.”