AIRLINE Flybe has moved to dismiss fears it may switch from Southampton Airport to its Bournemouth rival, after bosses revealed plans to launch flights there for the first time.

Currently by far the biggest carrier at Southampton, Flybe yesterday announced it is to launch a daily service to Manchester from Bournemouth starting this May.

Coming just days after the firm announced an end to its sponsorship of Saints and as Bournemouth Airport bosses put the finishing touches to a new terminal, the development triggered concerns the regional flights giant may quit Southampton.

Traditionally more of a holidaymakers airport than Southampton, which is popular with business travellers, Flybe’s spread along the south coast puts it in direct competition with bitter rival Ryanair and budget giant Easyjet.

A Flybe spokesman pointed out the Southampton to Manchester service runs six times a day, compared to just one flight from Bournemouth.

The airline, which employs 250 people in Southampton, grew its operations in Southampton by 7.5 per cent last year and expects to at least repeat the performance during 2010.

A spokesman said: “Flybe are the biggest domestic airline in the UK and there are very few airports we don’t fly from and Bournemouth is one of those.

“It is no surprise that as we look to increase our market share that we would look at other airports.

“But to compare our operation at Southampton to Bournemouth is like comparing apples and pears. It’s a completely different product.

“Southampton is our busiest base in that we offer more routes from there than anywhere else and we look forward to offering more in the future. Our commitment to Southampton is unaffected.”

He added that they would “see what happens” at Bournemouth but that there was “nothing further planned” to happen there this year.