Flybe, has announced the details of its new daily flights between Southampton and the French city of Lyon as part of its 2016 summer schedule.

The service will run from May 23 to October 29. One-way fares will start from £29.99 and tickets are available now to book from the airlline’s website.

Flights will leave Southampton at 11.25am each day from Monday to Friday and 1.25pm on Sundays.

Lyon, Frances’ third largest city with a population of 500,000,is renowned for its architecture and is a Unesco World heritage centre.

MD of Southampton Airport, Dave Lees, added: “The new Flybe route to Lyon from Southampton opens up air links to the second largest metropolitan area in France, after Paris. Not only is this the capital for gastronomy in France, but it is also a business centre specialising in banking, chemical, pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

“This new route is likely to be popular with leisure and business passengers alike and we are really pleased that it has received support from the Government through the Regional Air Connectivity Fund.”

This is the second route Flybe has announced to be operated under the Government’s Regional Air Connectivity Fund.

Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill said: “It is fantastic to see Flybe launch this new service between Southampton and Lyon. Our smaller airports are vital engines for local economies, connecting the UK and overseas destinations and opening up opportunities. That is why the Government is backing new regional air routes to drive investment and boost growth across the country.”

Today’s news follows Flybe’s recent announcements of a new route to Paris Charles De Gaulle and the return of popular ‘summer sun’ routes to Alicante, Malaga, Palma Mallorca and Faro. 

During the summer the airline will operate 357 flights a week from Southampton to 30 destinations.