HOLIDAYMAKERS from Hampshire will be able to fly direct to a holiday destination famed for its association with a famous musical.

New ‘no frills’ airline FlyLolo has launched a flight to Skiathos from Southampton Airport which takes off from July 3 next year.

Flights to the Greek island will run from Southampton every Tuesday for 14 weeks until October 2, 2018.

Dave Lees, managing director of Southampton Airport, said: “It is fantastic to offer our first direct route to Greece from Southampton Airport.

“Flights to Skiathos can be difficult to find, even when travelling from London, so we are delighted to be able to offer this beautiful destination to the south coast.

“We wish FlyLolo all the best for their new route.”

Paul Dendle, CEO of FlyLolo, said: “FlyLolo are really pleased and proud to be the first operator to fly to Greece from Southampton Airport.

“We see an excellent future for Southampton as an alternative for London, and with the direct rail link, it makes it a fantastic option for passengers from the South East of England.

“Southampton Airport offers a blend of easy, fast and friendly when compared to other airports.

“With the added value of us providing ATOL-protected flights with Flybe, child discounts, and no credit card charges, we believe we have a winning combination.”

Dubbed ‘the Aegean Paradise’, the island is visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year and is famed for providing the stunning landscapes for musical Mamma Mia! in 2007, which starred Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan.

Skiathos’s main town has an open-air cinema, which shows Mamma Mia! three times a week, every week.

FlyLolo will be partnering with Flybe to use a 100 seater Embear 195 aircraft for the three-and-a-half-hour flight with fares starting from £259 per person.

Scroll through the gallery above to see other destinations from Southampton Airport