This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New Edinburgh-Munich air route
13/01/2004
A new direct air route between
Scotland and Germany was announced today.
The duo service from Edinburgh to
Munich is the 17th air link to be supported through the
Executive's £6.8 million Route Development Fund. It will
operate six days a week from March 28.
Scottish business and tourism
opportunities will receive a significant boost with
the launch of the year-round route, Deputy Enterprise
Minister Lewis Macdonald said.
Duo already has services between
Edinburgh and Milan, Geneva, Oslo and Zurich. They began in
November last year, all of them supported by the
Executive's fund.
Mr Macdonald said:
"This is very good news for Scotland
and for our economy. The new service to Munich will provide
an important boost to business and tourism links with
Germany. Direct flights from Scotland mean we can seize on
new opportunities and speed up travel times to key
destinations.
"This is another major commitment to
Scotland by duo, which already operates direct flights to
Geneva, Milan, Oslo and Zurich supported by our Route
Development Fund.
"This was set up as a direct response
to requests from businesses, local authorities and the
aviation industry and today's announcement demonstrates the
big part the Fund is playing in giving Scotland an edge in
attracting new direct air services.
"Scotlandneeds excellent connections to a wide range of
European destinations which will improve our business
opportunities and also help reduce the environmental impact
of air travel.The new route will also boostScotland's tourism industry,helping to increase an already record high number of
visitors toScotlandthrough another direct flight to the
country."
Frank McAveety, Minister for Tourism Culture and
Sport, said:
"There are opportunities for businesses in all areas
ofScotlandto deliver packages and events aimed at the business
tourism market. VisitScotland has recognised the importance
of this sector, increasing its investment in business
tourism by 50 per cent."
Mary McLaughlin, Head of Transport at Scottish
Enterprise, which administers the Route Development
Fund on behalf of the Executive said:
"Duo's first four routes from Scotland have only been
operating for a short time so it is very gratifying to see
the company are already adding new routes to their
schedule. Direct access toMunichwill be of huge benefit toScotlandas the area has many connections withScotland, especially through the hi-tech industries, such as
biotechnology, and financial services."
The Route Development Fund is provided
through the 2002 Scottish Budget with £5.5 million from the
Executive including £500,000 from the Integrated Transport
Fund; £1 million from Scottish Enterprise; and £300,000
from Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
The 17
routes fromScotlandare:
·Germanwings - Edinburgh toCologne
·bmi -EdinburghtoJersey
·Ryanair -GlasgowPrestwickto Skavsta (Stockholm)
·Ryanair -GlasgowPrestwickto Girona (Barcelona)
·duo -EdinburghtoOslo
·duo -EdinburghtoMilan
·duo -EdinburghtoGeneva
·duo -EdinburghtoZurich
·Germania-GlasgowPrestwicktoBerlin
·Ryanair -GlasgowPrestwickto Gothenburg
·Eastern -InvernesstoBirmingham
·Continental - Edinburgh toNew York(Newark)
·Loganair -KirkwalltoBergen(summer only)
·Snowflake -InvernesstoStockholm
·Ryanair -GlasgowPrestwicktoBergamo(Milan)
·Emirates -GlasgowtoDubai
·Duo -EdinburghtoMunich