This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Air route strengthens global connections
06/06/2006
The inauguaral Delta Air Lines flight from Edinburgh to Atlanta took off today offering passengers direct access to one of the USA's principal cities and one of the major hub airports in America.
Transport Minister Tavish Scott said:
"Our place in the world, and our ability to play a strong role in the world-wide business market, depends on our global connections. Through this devolved government's Route Development Fund we are continuing to ensure new direct air links to meet those needs.
"This inaugural Delta flight to Atlanta will provide business passengers with access to the southern and western states of the USA, as well as vital international connections to Central and Southern America. The USA is the top market for Scottish business - worth £2.5 billion. The whisky market sees £373 million in sales to the US alone.
"We have already seen the phenomenal success of the links to New York and Dubai in providing year-round connections to established key markets. I hope this service sees the same success, and that Delta continue to work with us to establish more routes to and from Scotland."
Wayne Aaron, Vice President of Corporate Strategic Planning for Delta Air Lines, said:
"We are extremely pleased to be entering the Scottish market. The business links between the Edinburgh and the Atlanta regions are already strong and we hope that this new route will help open up many additional opportunities from both a business and leisure perspective."
Mary McLaughlin, Director of Transport at Scottish Enterprise, said:
"Delta Airlines is one of the world's fastest growing international carriers, so this latest direct flight will open up a whole range of options for business travellers between Scotland and the United States.
"In addition, Atlanta is an attractive destination in its own right for as well as being home to Delta Airlines, it boasts several global corporations including Coca-Cola, media giant CNN and shipping company UPS. This route is therefore a highly valuable addition to the direct services already secured for Scotland through the route development fund."
The service will be operated by a Boeing 767 - 300 ER series aircraft with capacity for 48 business and 148 economy passengers.
Delta Air Lines is the second largest airline in the world in terms of passengers carried (in excess of 112 million a year) and the leading US carrier across the Atlantic. It is a member of the Sky Team - an alliance of airlines which includes Continental, Alitalia and Air France/KLM. Atlanta is the airlines main hub airport and offers access to over 180 destinations in approximately 30 different countries.
The Route Development Fund is provided through the Scottish Budget with £14.4 million funding over the period 2005-06 to 2007-08. It is operated in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, who administer the fund on the Executive's behalf.
The Route Development Fund 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. The exact amount from the fund given to the airline cannot be disclosed due to reasons of commercial confidentiality.