More than 40 jobs will be created when a new airline creates only its second English base at Southampton airport - and adds a new route later this year.
Scottish regional airliner Loganair will create its new base at Southampton, generating more than 40 jobs in the local area for pilots, cabin crew and engineers.
It will also launch a new route from Southampton to Manchester from October, when two ATR-72 600 aircraft will land in Hampshire. Ticket sales will begin today from £59.99.
The popular Southampton to Edinburgh route will also see bigger aircraft, with capacity on each flight increased from 49 to 72 passengers.
Luke Farajallah, chief executive officer at Loganair, said the move is a "logical and important strategic step".
"For us it is a real big moment as it is the first time since COVID we have shown authentic growth," he said. "I am really proud of the team here.
"We feel confident the local market will respond well to our more permanent presence and new routes through the basing of two aircraft later this year.
"We are also looking forward to welcoming our new team members who will be recruited from the local areas."
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Mr Farajallah added that the Southampton to Manchester route has proven to be popular and "very successful", having previously been offered by Flybe, before it went into administration.
The capacity of aircraft serving the Southampton to Edinburgh route will also be increased from 49 to 72 passengers.
New routes via Manchester to Inverness and Aberdeen will also become available, while flyers will also be able to connect to international flights.
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Kam Jandu, the chief executive of AGS Airports, which owns Southampton Airport, said: "This announcement represents both a significant investment and huge vote of confidence from Loganair in Southampton Airport.
“Manchester is the most sought-after route by businesses across the region and was previously used by more than 200,000 passengers per year. The re-introduction of this route will further strengthen the economic ties between the two cities.”
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