EasyJet increases Edinburgh routes

Oct 11 2012

EasyJet has announced six new routes from Edinburgh airport, with the creation of about 160 jobs.

The airline will fly to Berlin, Hamburg, Prague, Copenhagen, Reykjavik and Dubrovnik.

Two extra planes will serve the capital as part of the expansion, which will take the number of crafts to seven and boost the total number of easyJet routes to 30. EasyJet said the new routes will bring in almost 140,000 more passengers, benefiting the economy by up to £90 million.

The airline's Scottish head, Hugh Aitken, said: "I'm confident our new 2013 schedule will really appeal to people travelling to and from Scotland, both on business and for leisure, and will further bolster Edinburgh's world-famous appeal for tourists."

VisitScotland has hailed the new routes and the German links in particular. German visitors make up the biggest European tourism market to Scotland. The first Airbus A319 is scheduled to arrive on December 2, with the second plane beginning operations in March next year. The new routes start on March 21 next year, apart from Dubrovnik, which begins on April 27.

Edinburgh airport chief executive Gordon Dewar said: "Today's announcement is hugely exciting for Scottish aviation by relinking Edinburgh with Berlin and Reykjavik, and adding fantastic new destinations such as Hamburg and Prague. I'm sure these new routes will boost business and leisure travel to and from Scotland, underlining aviation's key role in our economy."

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the expansion represented a "major endorsement and vote of confidence" in Edinburgh and Scotland, and work was ongoing to deliver further direct routes.

The announcement was welcomed by local politicians. Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West Mike Crockart said: "It is an early vote of confidence by easyJet in the new management at Edinburgh airport, coming so close after the takeover by Global Infrastructure Partners. I look forward to seeing the benefits both for local businesses accessing new markets but also for the city as a whole as a thriving tourist destination."

Colin Keir, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Western, said: "These new flights will ensure Scottish business remains competitive and well connected with mainland Europe, particularly Germany, which remains Scotland's biggest European tourist market. Aviation and international connectivity play a crucial role in Scotland's economy and it's important that Scottish airports continue to expand their range of services to European and worldwide destinations."

Conservative transport spokesman Alex Johnstone said: "The new flights will give more options for Scots looking for alternative holiday destinations, and they of course open Edinburgh up as a tourist destination to new places too. Airlines like easyjet are absolutely vital for business links between Edinburgh and the rest of the world - that is what we need to be encouraging."