A new airline launched today will create 100 jobs at Gatwick Airport.

Recruiting starts in two weeks for charter airline Astraeus, which is aiming for the holiday market.

The Gatwick-based airline, named after the mythical father of the stars and winds, is being launched by a team of six directors all experienced in the airline business.

The team plans to have a fleet of five 148-seater Boeing 737s by the end of May, with three based at Gatwick and two at Manchester.

Sales and commercial director Jonathan Hinkles said: "We have found a niche in the market for smaller aircraft.

"Most charter airlines use planes with 180 seats, which can be too big for some holiday companies wanting to get to the smaller Greek islands and to destinations where airports cannot handle large numbers of passengers."

The first flight leaves Gatwick on March 27 for a Mediterranean destination which has not yet been disclosed.

Mr Hinkles said: "We are still talking to a number of Airline's 100 new jobs at Gatwickholiday companies and we do not want our competitors to be aware of the destinations at this stage."

Astraeus is headed by non-executive chairman Brad Burgess, formerly managing director of CityFlyer.

Mr Burgess was one of the management team which sold CityFlyer to British Airways for £75 million two years ago.

He said: "The situation is similar to when we launched CityFlyer at the end of the Gulf War.

"Aircraft are incredibly cheap and there is a hole in the market for this type of operation."

Hugh Parry, founding managing director of British Mediterranean, now a BA franchise, is chief executive; Marcus Manning, formerly with Virgin Atlantic, is finance director; Captain John Mahon, who was a chief pilot with Go, is flight operations director; and Captain Mario Fulgoni, who also worked for Go, is deputy operations director.

Mr Hinkles said: "Most of the 100 jobs will be for pilots and cabin crew but we will need operations and administrative workers."

He said the team was in "advanced negotiations" with venture capital providers to help fund the airline and with aircraft leasing companies.

Uniforms are being designed in the airline's colours of blue and gold. Passengers will be offered a full service with meals served on the flight and champagne cocktails with breakfasts on early take-offs.

Mr Hinkles said: "Our aim is to become the leading independent supplier of aircraft capacity in the 150-seat market for inclusive tour and contract charter flights."