A new airline has been launched that will provide a direct link from Shoreham to Paris.

Brighton City Airways will fly up to four times a day from Shoreham Airport. The move has prompted the airport to change its name to Brighton (Shoreham) Airport.

Neil Laughton, one of the two Sussex-based aviation experts who have founded the airline, said the flights would provide “long-term benefits” for the area as many businesses in Sussex will be able to use the service.

Laughton founded the design, build and furniture company OPL Group which he sold to Balfour Beatty in 2009 when turnover reached £40m.

He is also an adventurer and is known for leading Bear Grylls to the summit of Mount Everest for his Mission Everest world record motorised parachute flight in 2007.

Laughton’s business partner Jonathan Candelon is the managing director of career pilot school Flying Time Aviation at Shoreham Airport.

Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing & Shoreham, welcomed the airline’s launch. He said: “Shoreham Airport has a lot to offer as a base for short hop trips to the continent with a large market of travellers on its doorstep who otherwise have to spend more time travelling to and through the London airports than in the air.”