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The city of Montpellier, France, is the latest route to be added at Manchester Airport, courtesy of sky-blue airline, bmibaby. The flight, which is the only way of getting there by air from the north, will enter circulation on Saturday July 2 2011, and operate twice a week for the duration of the summer season.

Montpellier, located in the south of France, to the west of Marseille, is the capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, roughly equivalent to an English county. The city was founded in the tenth century, and developed quickly over the ensuing years. Today, Montpellier is the eighth largest settlement in France.

Known for its Mediterranean climate, Montpellier is a peculiar amalgam of contrasting architectural styles, hilly terrain, and both wide and narrow streets. Popular sights include the Place de la Comédie, arguably the most famous square in the city, the Tour de la Babotte, which is one of two medieval towers in Montpellier, and the impressive gold archway, Port du Peyrou.

Tickets for Manchester-Montpellier are being sold by bmibaby for around £40, one way, with taxes included. The airline’s UK boss, Julian Carr, said that bmibaby was “very excited” about the upcoming launch later this year, while staff at Manchester Airport expressed unreserved “delight” at the addition. Montpellier is Manchester’s sixteenth route to France, joining Avignon, Grenoble, and Brest on the departures board.

Bmibaby’s planes will fly to Méditerranée Airport, located around five miles east of Montpellier, in the town of Mauguio. Cyril Reboul, chairman at the French airport, intimated that local travellers were eager for the opportunity to visit Manchester, “one of the most exciting cities of the UK.”