EasyJet, the budget airline, has announced plans to fly to Israel with six flights a week between Luton and Tel Aviv, launching on November 2.

The Luton-based airline is offering single fares from £71.98 and return fares from £102.98, including all taxes. It will also cost £8 each way to check in a bag. Flights will depart daily, except Friday and have now been launched on the firm's website, where hotels are also on offer from £80 per night.

Andy Harrison, easyJet’s chief executive, described the launch as “a major breakthrough”.

He said: “For the first time the travelling public in the London area has the choice between a high-cost traditional airline and a low-cost alternative. We look forward to bringing our unique blend of low fares with friendly service to a whole new market.”

The Tel Aviv route is one of 23 new easyJet services to be introduced in the coming 12 months and brings to 46 the total of direct weekly flights between London and Tel Aviv.

In May, UK business airline bmi added a second daily flight to Tel Aviv, while Israel’s national carrier, El Al added a third daily flight – excluding Saturday - operating from Luton to Ben-Gurion. Its two other daily flights operate from Heathrow, as do the two daily flights by British Airways.

Jet 2, the regional based low-cost airline which launched a weekly flight between Manchester and Tel Aviv in May is to add a second weekly flight at peak periods, including Christmastime and Passover. Philip Meeson, boss of Jet2.com, said that its decision to add a second service to Tel Aviv was based on increased customer demand.

“The feedback that we have received from our Tel Aviv passengers is that they want even more choice when travelling at key times,” he said. “We have therefore responded by increasing our frequency. If demand allows, we will look to increase the service on a permanent basis."

Seats are on sale now EasyJet.com