New airline Astraeus has put its Gatwick launch back a week because of the late delivery of its first aircraft.

The airline was due to take off tomorrow for an inaugural flight to Malaga. It will now take place on April 6.

The 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 industry.

It aims to become the leading independent supplier of aircraft capacity in the 150-seat market for inclusive tours and contract charter flights.

Sales and commercial director Jonathan Hinkles said: "We have had to put the launch date back because of the late delivery of our first plane, a Boeing 737-300.

"Obviously we would have preferred to start on the day we planned but the delay is only a week."

The first flight leaves Gatwick for Malaga at 6.55am and returns for a round trip to Alicante later that day.

The airline is recruiting 100 staff and the first training courses for cabin staff have just been completed.

By the end of May, it should have four Boeing aircraft, three based at Gatwick and one at Manchester. Passengers will be offered a full service with meals and champagne cocktails with breakfast.

Mr Hinkles said: "We shall be operating 23 round trips a week, working with 21 tour operators.

"We will be flying mainly to European destinations, such as Spain, Greece, the Canary Isles, Turkey and Portugal, as well as Egypt."