Newly merged budget airlines easyJet and Go have announced new routes flying from East Midlands Airport.

This increases the competition for passengers with Bmibaby, which was lauched from the same Airport.

Easyjet and Go will operate a daily service to Barcelona, Venice and Geneva from October 27.

The announcement comes as the airport gears up for one of it's busiest periods of the year, with more than 30,000 people expected to fly away this weekend.

No frills

Favourite foreign destinations from East Midlands Airport this bank holiday are Majorca, Spain and Italy.

The new easyJet routes begin on 27 October.

Barry Thompson, deputy managing director of East Midlands Airport, said: "Today's move reflects a continuing demand for 'no-frills' travel from the region and we are pleased that our successful relationship with Go and easyJet allows us to offer our passengers greater travel choice."

This news comes as the battle between low-cost airlines hots up.

East Midlands airport is the base for Bmibaby, launched earlier this year and already flying from a second centre in Cardiff.

British Airways has announced further price cuts in an attempt to compete with budget operators on the shorter Eurpopean routes.