Low-cost airline CityJet is delighted with bookings on the new Brive-Vallée de la Dordogne-London City route. Seats sold well after the slow start caused by the late airport opening and the volcanic ash disruption.

Marketing director Colin Lewis said: “It is so good this summer that it is very promising for next year. We have a three-year contract and it is very interesting.”

With three flights a week from Friday to Saturday, they had 6,800 seats available until the end of the season and had sold 3,500 so far.

The launch had been better than the previous one – from Deauville – and they were pleased with seat sales. Mr Lewis added: “We have noticed many bookings are last minute and we hope we will reach our 4,000 target this season.”

Passenger Jean Greenwood, from Nonards near Beaulieu- sur-Dordogne, said she has family in London and Kent and “this will halve my journey time. It is much easier than Limoges or Bergerac, and looks more comfortable. I hope they extend it to cover more months of the year.”

Bergerac airport has organised free fois gras and wine tasting for Ryanair passengers, and is also offering a chance to win bottles of wine.