THERE will no doubt be complaints about increased noise and pollution from some quarters but the benefits of expanding Southampton Airport outweigh the drawbacks.

The airport is a major employer, supporting more than 900 jobs and an expansion could add to that number by 500 over the next decade. That figure does not include many other jobs which would be created further down the supply chain.

Southampton is rated as the UK's second easiest airport to access and has 1.5 million potential passengers within 30 minutes travel time. If it can offer more routes that will mean fewer people having to travel Gatwick, Heathrow or Stansted – and anyone who has been to Gatwick lately will see that as a blessing.

The airport is handy for motorway users but also has a station right next door. If the expansion of the airport could be combined with an improvement to rail services that would be a huge benefit to the area as a whole– helping commuters and easing the pressure on the M27.

If the cruise industry continues to grow at its present rate, bringing in more people from the growing markets of Germany and Scandinavia, to the port it would benefit the city economy if they could fly straight here and spend some of their money while they are here waiting to board ship.