This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Glasgow-Dubai air route takes off
10/04/2004
Direct air services between Glasgow and the United Arab
Emirates took off today, launching Scotland's first
scheduled flights outside Europe and North America.
The new Emirates Airlines' service has attracted the
largest-ever investment from the Scottish Executive's Route
Development Fund.
At Glasgow International Airport, Ms Patricia Ferguson
MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business will call on
Scottish business and tourism to take full advantage of the
opportunities which this new route will offer.
She said:
"The Glasgow to Dubai service marks a new era for flight
in Scotland. For the first time, it gives direct access to
the Middle East's key centre for commerce and travel. This
is exactly what Scottish business and tourism needs and it
is vital that we now seize the opportunities this new
service provides to promote Scotland and grow our
economy.
"Direct flights will enable the commercial ties which
already exist between Scotland and UAE to flourish. For
example Scottish oil and gas firms which are already
working with their counterparts in Abu Dhabi will benefit
from this direct link. And connections to the Indian
sub-continent, the Far East and Australasia will open up
these growing markets for more Scottish companies.
"Although the Route Development Fund has only been in
existence since November 2002 it has already proved to be
an outstanding success. Today's launch represents its
biggest investment to date and we can see the return on
that investment today for Glasgow and for Scotland."
The Route Development Fund has offered assistance to 19
new routes from Scotland and the launch of the Glasgow to
Dubai service was also welcomed by Transport Minister Nicol
Stephen.
The Minister said:
"The aviation sector is growing. Such growth brings
great opportunities to promote Scotland. The Emirates
service represents one of the best.
"Scotland is world-famous for our spectacular
countryside and heritage, but we are also a great business
destination. Research underlines that by encouraging more
people to travel here to do business, we can create a more
modern and dynamic image of our country abroad.
"Developing direct air routes is one of the best ways of
doing this and Emirates has shown a clear and very visible
commitment to its new Scottish services. Its promotion of
the route has been very impressive and has stimulated
considerable interest in Scotland."
Mary McLaughlin, Director of Transport at Scottish
Enterprise which administers the Route Development Fund on
behalf of the Scottish Executive, said:
"Of the new routes won so far for Scotland by the fund,
Emirate's direct service to Dubai is potentially one the
most valuable to the economy.
"It is expected to generate in excess of £100 million in
economic benefits over the next 10 years and enables
Scottish companies to do business more easily with
lucrative export markets - currently worth around £3
billion annually - in the Middle East, Asia, Australasia
and Africa.
"It will also make it easier for tourists from all these
areas, but particularly Australia, to come to
Scotland."
Mike Cantlay, Deputy-chairman of VisitScotland,
said:
"The launch of this service is an exciting development
for Glasgow and Scotland overall; providing as it does, our
first direct link to the growing middle eastern market.
"The flight will open up a whole new level of
possibilities for Scotland in terms of both leisure and
business travel, which is fantastic news not only for
Glasgow, but for the country's economy overall.
"Dubai - Glasgow is a hugely welcome addition to the
increasing number of direct access flights into Scotland,
and VisitScotland will be working hard to ensure we
maximise the potential benefits."
The Route Development Fund is provided through the 2002
Scottish Budget with £5.5 million from the Executive, £1
million from Scottish Enterprise and £300,000 pounds from
Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
The fund is operated in partnership with Scottish
Enterprise, who administers the fund on the Executive's
behalf.
The exact amount from the fund given to the airline
cannot be disclosed due to reasons of commercial
confidentiality. This is the first time a Middle Eastern
route has been supported. The fund has focused on European
destinations serving in-bound tourism and business markets.
It supports new air links where airlines can demonstrate
the services will have a direct economic benefit to
Scotland. The flights must involve regularly scheduled
services and must not undermine existing flights.