Flights from Aberdeen to Africa will take off later this year, the Evening Express can reveal today.Thomas Cook is launching a direct service to Monastir in Tunisia.The former fishing port is now a thriving tourist resort.

Today the new route was welcomed by airport managing director Kevin Brown. He said: I am really pleased that we have been able to secure this new route. The new route will be a welcome boost to Aberdeen holiday-makers after the region lost a number of services flights at the end of last year.Aberdeen was hit by the collapse of the Flyglobespan airline, which operated flights to Tenerife and Turkey.