Airport's two Spain routes.

Byline: NEIL HODGSON 

RYANAIR has increased its destinations from John Len-non airport to 35, with two new routes to Palma and Alicante in Spain.

The flights begin on March 27 to Palma and April 19 to Alicante with a Tuesday Thursday and Saturday frequency for both. Fares will start from pounds 5.99 one way.

Ryanair spokeswoman Caroline Baldwin said the flights would generate an extra 85,000 passengers for Liverpool JLA and attract about 20,000 inbound passengers.

Both routes will compete with links from Liverpool already operated by rival easyJet.

Airport spokesman Robin Tudor said: "Two million passengers from across the north west fly these routes each year, so there is massive potential here.

"From a consumer's point of view they have never had it so good."

Mr Tudor said they offered the potential for JLA to attract more custom from the north west, with 60% of the airport's passengers coming from outside Merseyside.

Ryanair also forecast further expansion from Liverpool and hinted a key business route could be under serious consideration.

Ms Baldwin added: "We intend to grow our Frankfurt operation so we will certainly bear Liverpool in mind."