UK holidaymakers looking for a sunny island getaway now have extra options for Corfu flights, after London Stansted airport began direct flights to the popular destination this week.

The routes, operated by Ryanair, will fly on Mondays and Thursdays, and fares will start at £57.99 inclusive of tax. Corfu has long been a favourite of British tourists, thanks to the island’s exceptional climate, picturesque fishing villages and rugged interior landscape. Cheap flights to Corfu are plentiful, and the island also boasts a wide range of resorts and activities for different budgets and tastes.

The highest point on Corfu, Mount Pantokrator, provides tourists with the perfect vantage point from which to survey the entire island, as well as the surrounding countries. Fitter travellers can hike to the summit, while less adventurous types can take one of the many bus tours which take the winding road to the peak. Upon arrival, the cafe and monastery provide visitors with refreshments and a site of historical interest to explore.

“Ryanair boosted our range of Greek connections in April with the launch of new services to Rhodes and Thessaloniki, and I’m sure this new connection to Corfu will prove just as popular,” commented Nick Barton, managing director at Stanstead.

The Irish airline has also recently added a new route to Malmo in Sweden from Stanstead, expanding its range of Swedish destinations to four: Malmo, Gothenburg, Stockholm Skavsta and Stockholm Vasteras. The Malmo service will commence in Novmenber 2011, and will fly every day to the picturesque Swedish city.