THREE new routes launched by budget airline Ryanair should see an extra 135,000 travellers passing through East Midlands Airport.

Yesterday, the budget airline began flying to Barcelona's Reus Airport and Palma. It also restarted a route to Rimini.

It brings the total number of routes operated by Ryanair from the Castle Donington airport to 32.

Ryanair's Laura McCormack said: "Sales for these routes have been really strong."

While recession-hit people can't afford long holidays abroad, the frequent new routes will allow short breaks.