Fast-growing Air Southwest sells 100% of its seats directly to the public and corporate accounts.

More than half a million customers have now travelled with Air Southwest

Low fares regional airline Air Southwest is celebrating a major milestone today having carried half a million passengers equivalent to filling 10,000 of its Dash 800 aircraft.

Since its launch, Air Southwest, has become one of the fastest growing low fares airlines in the UK and has just taken delivery of another aircraft in preparation for a further expansion of services next month.

Air Southwest chief executive Malcolm Naylor said: "This is a fantastic milestone for Air Southwest and demonstrates that our combination of low fares and excellent customer service continues to be a hit with customers."

"Since our launch we have been able to repeat our successful formula by introducing a range of new routes and we look forward to carrying many more customers with the launch of our new services in April."

From April 10 Air Southwest will introduce a new twice daily service from Newquay to Cardiff, a twice daily service from Cardiff to Manchester, and a daily service from Bristol to Norwich.

The airline is increasing its flights from Bristol to Leeds Bradford from two to three a day, and enhancing its services from Newquay to Leeds and Manchester.