New flights to boost business links between West Yorkshire and the South East have been launched at Leeds-Bradford Airport.

Eastern Airways has started scheduled services to Southampton, aimed primarily at business travellers, with three flights each weekday to Southampton as well as a Sunday service.

LBA bosses are also celebrating the expansion of services by Irish-based operator Ryanair, which has an operations hub at Yeadon.

Eastern Airways’ weekday departures start at 6.50am from LBA with return flights at 5pm or 7.40pm allowing for a full day in Southampton. Other weekday flights will depart LBA at 10.20am and 17.10pm. Sunday services leave Leeds-Bradford at 4.15pm, returning at 5.45pm.

Fast-track security clearance is being offered at both Leeds-Bradford and Southampton airports, enabling Eastern Airways passengers to check-in only 30 minutes before departure time. Complimentary drinks and snacks are offered on board the aircraft and passengers are not charged for check-in, baggage or choice of seat.

The new flights will help strengthen links with an area where Yorkshire businesses have strong links, particularly in the finance, insurance, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, IT, manufacturing and construction sectors.

On the leisure front, it is hoped the Southampton flights will benefit cruise passengers looking to join their ships.

Tony Hallwood, LBA aviation development and marketing director, said: “Regional businesses have welcomed the introduction of Eastern Airways on the important Southampton route. With an excellent in-flight product and linked to fast track though airport security, business travellers will quickly recognise that there is no better way to fly.”

Kay Ryan, Eastern Airways’ commercial director, said: “Our business schedule and timings between two of the country’s busiest commercial centres are ideally suited to the needs of business travellers across the Yorkshire region. Our flights save commuters valuable time compared to alternative road or rail options.”

Eastern Airways has been operating scheduled flights from Leeds-Bradford for more than ten years, including up to three daily weekday services to Aberdeen.

Ryanair is introducing a three-times weekly service to Girona Barcelona, serving the Costa Brava region in Spain, from April 1.

Flights are scheduled to depart from LBA on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and will operate until October 25, providing a direct gateway to the coastal holiday resorts on the Costa Brava and easy access to the Languedoc-Roussillon region in nearby France.

The addition of Girona Barcelona means that Ryanair will serve a total of 23 destinations from Leeds-Bradford this summer, flying to seven countries in Europe.

Maria Macken, Ryanair sales and marketing manager, added: “Ryanair is delighted to offer passengers in Yorkshire the chance to visit Girona in the north-east of Catalonia this summer. With three weekly flights from Leeds-Bradford, it’s the perfect destination for a short break or a longer stay.”