Carolyn McCall, chief executive of the no-frills airline, said a route from the English city to the Russian capital was “long overdue”, and added that the move would create 80 jobs.

The no-frills airline is adding an eighth aircraft to its Manchester base, which will also allow it to launch services to Thessaloniki in Greece, as well as Prague in the Czech Republic.

“We are also pleased to be able to announce further expansion from Manchester with the arrival of another aircraft in March 2013,” she said.

“This is great news for the regional economy, creating much-needed jobs in the city. Moscow and Prague will appeal to business and leisure travellers alike, with Thessaloniki promising to be a popular choice for holidaymakers from the region.”

Easyjet expanded its services from Manchester in October, adding a seventh aircraft to its base there, and beginning services to Venice and Reykjavik. It also increased the frequency of flights from the city to Paphos, in Cyprus, and the Greek island of Santorini.

The airline will now serve 32 routes from Manchester next summer.

It also recently announced plans to fly to Moscow from Gatwick next year, after beating Virgin Atlantic for the right to launch the route.

Ken O'Toole, chief commercial officer at Manchester Airports Group, highlighted the importance of the new Moscow route, as it meant that passengers would “not have to use London for travel to Russia”.