by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Business links between Kent and Manchester are set to flourish with the launch of low-cost flights to and from Manston.

No sooner had Flybe's inaugural flight to Edinburgh taken off yesterday than the domestic carrier confirmed it was adding Manchester to its Kent International Airport schedules.

The six-day a week service will start on September 6, with one way fares starting at £24.99, including taxes and charges.

The new services are expected to add more than 50,000 passengers a year to an airport that can handle around 700,000. Previous attempts to attract scheduled passenger services have stalled but now there is real hope that Flybe's services, which could be extended to other destinations such as Dublin and Belfast, will prove longer-lasting. Airport chiefs are also hoping to attract scheduled flights to towns and cities overseas.

Kent business and tourism chiefs believe the new flights will boost the county as a commercial and holiday location.

Paul Wookey, chief executive of Locate in Kent, said: "Apart from bringing much-needed direct and indirect employment in and around Thanet, and acting as a catalyst for the East Kent economy, the airport offers the traveller a real alternative to flying from the region's large congested airports."

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, chief executive of Visit Kent, the private-public sector tourism promotion agency, said: "This is great news for the county's tourism businesses."

The 80-minute Manchester flights in Bombardier Q400 aircraft will leave Manston at 12.15 and arrive in Manchester at 13.25 (Monday-Friday September 6 to March 26, 2011). The incoming flight will leave Manchester at 10.40 and arrive Manston at 11.50. A Sunday service will leave Manston at 13.20. From October 30, timings for Sunday flights will be slightly different.

Tom Wilson, chief executive of KIA owner Infratil Airports Europe, said Flybe's decision to add a daily service between Manston and Manchester was fantastic news.

"We are confident that business and residents in the county will vote with their feet when looking to travel to Manchester and choose Flybe from Manston rather than driving or going by train."

Meanwhile, passengers leaving on the first Edinburgh flight enjoyed Chapel Down sparkling wine from Tenterden. Two were presented with food hampers from VisitKent and Scottish Food and Drink.