LOW-COST airline buzz threw down the gauntlet to commuter flights from Southampton International Airport with an ambitious plan to rival services on four of the principal routes, flying from Bournemouth, 30 miles away.

It is set to capture up to three-quarters of a million passengers on its first new routes from the south coast.

With fares starting at £19 one-way, it promises tough competition for the south coast's main commuter airport at Southampton.

Dutch-owned buzz proposes daily services to Amsterdam, Belfast, Glasgow and Paris which will pose direct competition for the Southampton services operated by British Airways, ScotAirways and Air France.

John Donohue, marketing manager, for Bournemouth Airport, said: "We're the UK's fastest growing airport and I believe the buzz network unveiled today will see us retain that position next year.

"With further expansion plans in the future, the buzz operation will see us take market share from both Southampton Airport and London Gatwick as well as fuelling generic growth.

"For the first time, travellers from the south coast can now benefit from a proper low cost route network on their doorstep.''

The airport at Bournemouth is owned by Manchester Airport and has its own ambitious plan to pour new investment into improving the terminal and developing a business park, creating hundreds of new jobs. The South West Regional Development Agency is to pour in £1m investment immediately.

The airline said it also plans to start flying to Bergerac in southern France, Malaga, and Murcia in southern Spain next March.

The choice of two UK destinations represents the first time buzz has offered UK domestic routes, although its Glasgow route will fly into Prestwick, about 40 minutes by train from central Glasgow.

The airline says it will include a complimentary rail ticket to anywhere in Scotland for the £38 return.

It plans to operate two 148-seater Boeing 737 aircraft from Bournemouth.

It already flies from Stansted Airport in Essex. By the end of 2003 the airline will have established a further two bases - a third in the UK and its first in mainland Europe.

Chief commercial officer Tony Camacho said: "This is just the start of our plans for Bournemouth.

"In the next year we will continue to expand and develop our destination portfolio which will position Bournemouth as one of the UK's leading low-cost bases.''

Head of marketing and sales Adam Harris, said: "Our domestic route selection sees the south coast benefit for the first time from low cost fares to Scotland and Northern Ireland at a fraction of the price of British Airways.

"Our mainland European network creates a wide reaching international gateway for the south coast.''

WHERE AND HOW MUCH:

Amsterdam from £19 one-way, including all taxes:

Belfast from £19 one-way including all taxes:

, France from £29 one-way including all taxes:

Glasgow Prestwick from £19 one-way, including all taxes:

Malaga, Spain from £49 one-way including all taxes:

Murcia, Spain from £49 one-way, including all taxes:

Seats to Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris from £19 one-way, including all taxes.