This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Two new air routes
10/01/2007
Two new direct air routes from Scottish airports to Switzerland and Norway ware to begin operating in March.
The bmi regional routes, Edinburgh to Zurich and Aberdeen to Kristiansand in Norway, are being supported by the devolved government's Route Development Fund (RDF).
The RDF has already secured 36 direct routes from Scotland to the rest of the UK, Europe, the US, Canada and Dubai.
Transport Minister Tavish Scott said:
"Both these services are great news for Scotland's global connections. They will open up new opportunities for Scottish businesses, and bring benefits for Scottish tourism.
"Zurich is one of the most important financial cities in Europe, with Kristiansand being a core area of Norway's oil industry. This announcement takes us another step forward in our aim of increasing the number of direct air services between Scotland and the rest of the world.
"At a time when our economy is continuing to grow, and Scotland's tourism figures are at their highest ever levels, this is further encouraging news. RDF continues to attract airlines to expand in Scotland giving us direct links to some of the world's key transport hubs.
Mary McLaughlin, Director of Transport at Scottish Enterprise, which co-funds and manages the RDF on behalf of the Scottish Executive, said:
"The creation of a direct route from Edinburgh to Zurich is another important connection for Scottish businesses especially in the financial services sector and the direct service to Norway from Aberdeen will also enhance Scotland's international connections as it will link Scotland's oil capital with another major city closely linked with the North Sea oil and gas industry.
bmi regional intend to introduce a daily Edinburgh to Zurich service, with Aberdeen to Kristiansand operating six rotations per week - Monday to Friday and Sunday return services.
Both routes will start on March 26 and will operate as year-round services.
The services will use Embraer 135 and 145 - 39 seats on the Kristiansand route and 49 on the Zurich route.
The RDF provided through the Scottish Budget with £14.4 million funding over the period 2005-06 to 2007-08.
The RDF 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.
Since it was introduced in November 2002, the RDF is estimated to have brought aound £100 million of economic benefit to the Scottish economy.
More than 30 RDF-supported routes currently operating carried about 1.4 million passengers last year.