EASTERN Airways is introducing its first scheduled flights to Liverpool John Lennon Airport from Southampton.

The regional airline will launch three flights each weekday from Southampton International Airport to Liverpool from July 6.

It fills a gap left by Flybe, the airport’s largest carrier, who pulled out of the route in September 2007.

Eastern will also be increasing the number of flights from Southampton to Aberdeen from three to five services each weekday starting from July 6.

Flights are not only expected to appeal to south coast business travellers heading to Merseyside, but also Cheshire, Lancashire and North Wales.

Weekday services will depart Southampton at 9.30am, 3pm and 5.50pm, arriving in Liverpool at 10.20am, 4pm and 6.50pm.

Flights take off from Liverpool at 8.10am, 4.20pm and 8.10pm, landing in Southampton at 9am, 5.20pm and 9.10pm.

Chris Holliday, Eastern Airways’ chief operating officer, said: “Launching our first scheduled flights to and from Liverpool is a major milestone.

“We’re providing the fastest link from Southampton to Liverpool, which is significantly quicker than alternative road and rail journeys.

“We are also enhancing our services from Southampton to Aberdeen with five flights a day, providing greater flexibility and even more choice for business and leisure travellers.”

Southampton International Airport’s director of marketing and communications, Jan Halliday, said: “This is great news for businesses in the south of England who can be linked quickly and easily to Liverpool and Aberdeen.

“This is also an ideal option for people from Liverpool who want to do business in the south.

“In addition, it is likely to be popular with people from the north-west of England who want to breeze through to the cruise liners setting sail from Southampton.”