A NEW service tailor-made for Euro business travellers is set to take off in the new year from Southampton Airport.

VLM Airlines, the Belgian airline, has announced the further expansion of its network with the launch of a new route from Southampton to Brussels.

Starting from Monday, January 10, the business airline will operate two flights a day in both directions during the week and one on Sundays.

The move strengthens VLM Airlines' leading presence in the UK-Belgium market, where it already operates 11 daily flights

from London City Airport to Antwerp and Brussels.

It is another boost to Southampton's "briefcase" airport business - a market in which it has been making major inroads.

The Southampton-to-Brussels services have previously been operated by British Airways CitiExpress.

Johan Vanneste, managing director of VLM Airlines, says: "The Southampton-to-Brussels route fits in well with our portfolio of routes which is offering our business passengers a fast and efficient means of travel.

"We are well known for our all-inclusive onboard service and friendly crew.

"Furthermore, our punctuality is the highest among the UK operators according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, with 91 per cent of our flights departing on time for the third quarter of 2004.

"We feel that these characteristics will be appreciated by the business community of Belgium and the Southampton region."

Southampton Airport's managing director, David Cumming, said: "We are extremely proud to welcome VLM Airlines to our airport.

"The airline's punctuality and reliability match the strategy of our airport as both VLM Airlines and Southampton Airport ensure high levels of customer service."

The announcement of this latest service comes as the airport has just marked the tenth anniversary of the opening of its new terminal.

In 1994, about 500,000 passengers a year travelled through Southampton Airport to 17 destinations.

Now there are nearly three times as many passengers flying to almost 40 destinations.

The airport now connects to 11 European countries.

Prices on the new Southampton-to-Brussels service start from £120 return (plus £35 taxes).