Low fares airline Flybe has introduced three more routes from Southampton Airport and reports that in the first month of operation more than 40,000 passengers have used its city flights.

The airline has begun operating to Malaga and Murcia in Spain and Toulouse adding extra destinations to Flybe routes out of Southampton.

Ian Taylor, the airline's managing director of market development, said: "We are delighted at the success of our new operations at Southampton and are certain that with the routes of Malaga, Murcia and Toulouse the success will continue.

"We have already taken more than 225,000 reservations on our services to and from Southampton for the coming months and are well on the way to delivering our aim of 900,000 Flybe passengers travelling through South-ampton Airport this year.

"It is a fantastic achievement. It is proof that our passengers are enjoying the benefits of low fares from their local airport.''

More Flybe services are planned to Alicante, Bergerac and Ibiza next month, taking the total destinations to 12.

David Cumming, the airport's managing director, said: "Flybe has made a significant impact on passenger numbers.

"In April 42 per cent more passengers used Southampton than in the

previous year, making it a record month.

"This will be the first time in Southampton Airport's history that daily flights will be operated to Toulouse, as well as to the popular holiday destinations of Malaga and Murcia.

"We are anticipating a great response by passengers to the airline's growing route network."