THE price war to capture the biggest slice of the south's air travellers is hotting up at Southampton Airport as the busy peak summer holiday period prepares to take off.

In one corner is well established carrier, British Airways CitiExpress while in the other is relative new comer to the city, the budget airline flybe. The latest skirmish on ticket prices centres on flights to Jersey, one of the most popular routes out of Southampton.

British Airways CitiExpress says it is making up to 18,000 seats at £59 return, including taxes, fees and charges, available between this month and September.

The airline claims to operate more services than any other company to Jersey from Southampton with up to five flights a day except on Sundays.

Gary Osborne, head of revenue management for British Airways CitiExpress, said: "We have terrific value for money all in return fares to Jersey with a great number of seats offered at the lowest prices.

"Midweek and Saturday night restrictions have been lifted and our £59 return fares are available every day.''

Meanwhile flybe is tempting passengers on to its Southampton to Jersey services with tickets costing £22 each way, which also includes taxes and charges, for the remainder of this month and July.

To obtain tickets at this price, travellers will need to be quick as the offer closes at midnight next Wednesday, June 25 and bookings have to be made online.

The budget airline has made a big impact since establishing itself in Southampton a few months ago with more than 266,000 reservations made on its services in and out of the city this summer.

Southampton Airport's managing director, David Cumming, said: "This year we will be celebrating 70 years of flying between Southampton and Jersey.

"In 2002 more than 135,000 passengers used the airport as a gateway to Jersey and we anticipate even more travellers will use this route this year.''