Flybe says it will compete with easyJet on certain routes

From October this year, it will launch daily flights to Toulouse, and from March 2004, flights to Bordeaux, Bergerac and Murcia, in Spain.

Mike Rutter, sales and marketing director at the airline, said: "We believe that there is substantial demand from the Bristol area for flights to France, Spain and other key European destinations, which we are keen to develop.

"Toulouse is interesting because of the aerospace and Concorde link between the cities, and Bordeaux is Bristol's twin."

'Economic boost'

He said that Flybe's strategy was to complement existing and future services at the airport, and to add new routes rather than compete on existing services.

But competitors were warned: "We do, however, expect to compete with Easyjet on certain routes, as we do on Bristol to Belfast."

Tony Hallwood, from the Airport, told the BBC: "This boost to the local economy is very important in terms of jobs and wealth. "

Ryanair and Easyjet already operate from Bristol Airport, which is expected to handle about five million passengers in the next two years.