Christmas is done and dusted and the new year is officially underway so our thoughts will inevitably turn to which far-flung destinations we can fly off to over the next 12 months.

Monarch Airlines are giving us a nudge by launching three new routes from Manchester Airport.

Flights to new destinations Lisbon, Tel Aviv and Madeira are all available to book now.

Flights to Tel Aviv will start on April 19, to Madeira (Funchal) on May 1 and to Lisbon on May 5.

Stephen Turner, commercial director for Manchester Airport, said: “We’re delighted that Monarch is going to be adding three new routes to their network from Manchester Airport for summer 2016.

"It’s pleasing that after a record-breaking year for passenger numbers travelling from the airport, that Monarch will be part of our continued growth in 2016 at the global gateway for the North.”

The extended summer 2016 schedule also includes new frequencies to some of the airline’s most popular destinations with flights at sociable times, allowing customers to escape for a weekend or a longer break to some of Europe’s most popular leisure destinations.