EasyJet boosts Scotland with six new routes
EasyJet has launched six new routes from Edinburgh airport which will create around 160 new jobs.
Berlin and Hamburg will be introduced as well as city break destinations like Prague, Copenhagen, Reyjavik and Dubrovnik.
easyJet will also base seven planes at the Edinburgh capital rather than five.
It is claimed the six new routes, which were decided following a consultation with VisitScotland, Marketing Edinburgh and the Scottish business community, will bring in almost 140,000 more passengers, benefitting the economy by almost £90m.
Hugh Aitken, easyJet’s Head of Scotland, said: "easyJet’s new routes have been selected to boost both inbound and outbound business and leisure travellers. The two new aircraft mean that we, along with our ground handler, are able to create 160 jobs in Scotland as well as hundreds more which will be created through increased tourism.
"We will also be increasing our frequencies and the number of routes we are able to operate."
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "These new easyJet routes are also a major boost to our tourism sector, which is worth £11 billion to our economy and employs 270,000 people.
"Attracting more direct flights to and from Scotland helps deliver cheaper fares for the public and reduces the need for extra connecting flights through London."
easyJet will be the only airline to operate flights between Edinburgh and Berlin and will add competition on the Prague route. This will be the first time Iceland will be served all year around from Edinburgh.
The first Airbus A319 is scheduled to arrive on 2 December 2012 with the second plane commencing operations in March 2013.
Diane
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