BUSINESS travellers across the south will have more commuting options from Southampton Airport.

The airport will now be offering a new afternoon departure for people flying to Leeds Bradford, thanks to Eastern Airways.

The UK regional airline will increase services from three to four flights each weekday in each direction on the route.

The service will launch in September with the introduction of a 12.15pm departure from Southampton, arriving in Yorkshire at 1.25pm.

A new 2.50pm departure from Leeds Bradford arriving in Southampton at 4pm will also be available and the new flights are now on sale.

These new services will complement the existing 8.20am, 4.30pm and 6.35pm flights from Southampton and the 6.40am, 10.35am, and 5.05pm flights from Leeds Bradford.

The introduction comes because Hampshire has strong business links with Yorkshire, particularly in finance, insurance, IT, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, construction and manufacturing industry sectors.

Kay Ryan, Eastern Airways’ commercial director, said: “We are providing greater flexibility for business travellers with the increase in services to four flights each weekday between these two important business centres.

“The introduction of the afternoon service allows us to offer more choice and is a quicker, more convenient alternative to road or rail.”

Jan Halliday, Southampton Airport’s director of marketing and communications, added: “Business links between the two powerful industrial cities of Leeds and Southampton have always been strong.

This additional daily service will make life easier for business people travelling between the two regions.

“It is also likely to be popular with cruise passengers from the north of England who join their ships in the Port of Southampton.”

Eastern Airways has been operating scheduled services from Southampton since 2003 and also provides a choice of daily services to Aberdeen.

Fast-track security channels are offered at both airports.