Hop hopes to shake up budget air market

A new budget airline is to be launched this summer, it was announced today.

Hop – which will offer flights across the UK when it starts operating from July – also aims to sell 30% of fares for below £10 (€14.50) by the summer.

The concept is the brainchild of chairman Kit Malthouse.

A spokesman said: “Hop believes it can run up to 20% more efficiently than existing budget airlines by maximising existing airport infrastructure, and flying smaller, leased aircraft more regularly.”

He said Hop was “aiming to become the cheapest British travel solution within three years”.