Solent: Flybe to return to Bournemouth Airport

Flybe is to open a base at Bournemouth Airport next year, five years after it ceased to operate from Bournemouth.

Initially flying to Glasgow, flights will resume in March, with subsequent routes being offered from May to Amsterdam, Manchester, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Jersey, Dublin, Deauville (Normandy) Toulon and Biarritz.

Bournemouth Airport said this would potentially bring an extra 300,000 passengers and up to 50 new jobs. Based in Exeter, Flybe is also the main carrier at Southampton Airport, 30 miles away.

Flybe chief commercial officer Paul Simmons said: "Bolstering regional connectivity remains our number one aim. Serving the Dorset coastline builds on Flybe's strong regional presence.”

Bournemouth Airport managing director Paul Knight added that the new routes offered a perfect mix for leisure and business passengers.

Ian Girling, chief executive at Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), commented: “The airport is tremendously important for the area in terms of helping to drive growth and create jobs and I am delighted for Paul and the team, who have been working so very hard in moving the airport forward.

“Many of our 700 members have strong overseas trade links and will welcome the new routes, as will the wide array of businesses based at the airport. It will also be very welcome as a major boost for tourism.

“It is a timely boost as we move into the next phase of the economic recovery and will further inspire the confidence of companies in Dorset as well as help to attract new businesses and investment into the area.”

Bournemouth Airport, which opened a new £45 million terminal in 2010, is primarily used by Ryanair and Thompson Airways. The airport is owned by Manchester Airports Group, which also runs Stansted, East Midlands and Manchester airports.