Ryanair (FR, Dublin International) has extended its Connecting Flights hub service to Milan Bergamo in northern Italy. Unveiled earlier this year using its Rome Fiumicino base as a test hub, the scheme makes it possible for customers to book transfer connections across Ryanair's network at each hub city.

In a statement, Ryanair said that from July 3 onwards, its customers will be able to book connecting flights on the first twenty-five (of up to 300 new routes) via Milan Bergamo to/from Alicante, Athens, Barcelona El Prat, Bari, Brindisi, Cagliari, Catania, Chania, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Lamezia Terme, Madrid Barajas, Malaga, Malta International, Naples Capodichino, Palermo International, Pescara, Trapani, Valencia Manises, and Zaragoza.

Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer David O’Brien said: "Starting with an initial twenty-five new routes (rising up to 300), customers will be able to transfer onto their next flight without having to go landside, and have their bags checked through to their final destination."

Talks to extend the service to other carriers beyond Air Europa (UX, Palma de Mallorca) are currently ongoing, O'Brien added.

"We are continuing our discussions with Aer Lingus (EI, Dublin International) and Norwegian (Oslo Gardermoen) – and other potential partners – with a view to launching connections with them later this year as we continue to implement the latest round of upgrades to improve the customer experience," he said.