PLANS for a £32m expansion of Southampton Airport's major rival Bournemouth Airport were yesterday approved by the Government.

The airport terminal in Christchurch, Dorset, pictured right, will be redeveloped with a new international arrivals hall and departures lounges to be built featuring improved restaurants and shops.

It's the latest development in the air wars on the south coast, which has seen a war of words and special offers break out between rival carriers Ryanair, based in Bournemouth, and Flybe, Southampton's largest airline.

Bournemouth aircraft parking stands will rise from four to six, to accommodate aircraft the size of a Boeing 737.

Airport bosses drew up the master plan to meet a predicted rise in passenger numbers from one million a year to three million within ten years. Southampton currently handles about 1.8 million passengers a year, a figure expected to rise to three million by 2015.

It is thought that the expansion will reduce the number of passengers travelling from Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire to London airports, saving an estimated 43 million vehicle miles per year.

The scheme has already been unanimously approved by Christchurch Borough Council, and the airport said today that it has received confirmation from the Government Office South West that the scheme can go ahead.

Peter Duffy, managing director at Bournemouth Airport, said: "This is an important milestone in the history of the airport.

"Now we can begin to deliver the vision we set out in our master plan and deliver an airport of which the region can be proud. It's estimated that we will be handling three million passengers within ten years, so it's important that we start work as soon as possible."

The airport will pay for improved public transport links and establish a £10,000 annual community fund, rising to £30,000 linked to passenger growth, as part of the planning permission.

The airport will also introduce a Green Travel Plan under the terms of the agreement.

This includes becoming carbon neutral by 2015, enhancing noise and air quality monitoring and introducing a website, called WebTrak, so that the public can view the height and track of aircraft online.

The council also has legal powers to control night-time flights and engine testing for the first time under the agreement.