SOUTHAMPTON Inter-national Airport plans to forge ahead in developing its route network in the face of potential competition from low-fare airline buzz setting up a hub for new south coast services at Bournemouth Airport.

David Cumming, managing director, at Southampton Airport, said: "This region is lucky to have such a great choice of air travel.''

But he argued that Southampton Airport is particularly well located, with superb motorway and rail access, at the heart of the South Coast.

"Passengers in this region have a choice of airports. Southampton Airport is just one hour away from the world's busiest airport, Heathrow, yet we have continued to achieve significant growth since the £30m redevelopment in 1994, to the benefit of the local region.

"We currently welcome three times more passengers than Bournemouth, providing the region with 26 destinations, of which 17 are scheduled.

"We specialise in facilities for the time- conscious traveller, who is looking for a high-quality, hassle-free environment, and this is particularly suited to the business traveller.

"Passengers using Southampton Airport benefit from a range of low fares, for example £99 return on flights to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Brussels, Dublin, Belfast, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester and £89 to Jersey, Cork and Alderney.

"We very confident in the future of Southampton Airport and we are committed to developing the route network and to meeting the growing demands from this region."