Liddell promotes direct international airlinks

03 Dec 2001

The importance to Scotland of existing direct air services, and the scope for developing new routes and opportunities in the aviation sector, were discussed today at a seminar in Edinburgh hosted by Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell.

Addressing nearly 30 representatives from airlines, the airport operators, business representatives, tourism and development agencies, the Scottish Government and the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, Mrs Liddell said:

"The industry is going through a major restructuring at the moment, and the events of 11 September in the USA have accelerated some of this change. These have led to a drop off in air passenger traffic around the world. Scotland, however, is bucking this trend with air passenger traffic figures increasing over the same period last year. Edinburgh is up over 13 per cent, Glasgow-International up almost 7 per cent and Glasgow-Prestwick up a massive 20.6 per cent when compared to the same period last year.

"Scotland’s external air links are not only an important means for many Scots to get away on holiday but are vital to the success of our own tourism and wider business sectors.

"I invited key players in civil aviation to this meeting to discuss not only the present situation in the industry, but also to seek views on where the industry needs to develop. I want to ensure that any opportunities which exist, or may arise in the future, are fully exploited both for the benefit of the Scottish economy and the airline industry.

"The latest passenger numbers show that, despite the restructuring taking place within the airline industry at the moment, opportunities do exist in Scotland for growth and expansion. Today’s meeting is a first key step in identifying ways in which we can seek to make this happen."

NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

  1. The Meeting, held in the Grosvenor Hotel, Edinburgh, was originally scheduled for 26 September 2001, but was postponed because of the disruption to airline operators which followed the events in the USA on 11 September.
  2. Media can obtain a full list of those attending the meeting by contacting the number given below.
  3. The Scottish Government gave a presentation on their proposals for developing transport linkages to Scottish airports.
  4. Recently published figures by the BAA show that in October 2001 as compared to October 2000, air passenger figures at Edinburgh rose 13.4 per cent and 6.6 per cent at Glasgow. Heathrow airport recorded a fall of 20.1 per cent and Gatwick a fall of 12.7 per cent over the same period. More details can be found at www.baa.co.uk. Figures from Prestwick show an increase of 20.6 per cent in October 2001 when compared to October 2000 more details can be found at www.gpia.co.uk
  5. The Government is in the process of developing a comprehensive strategic policy on the future of the United Kingdoms airports for the next 30 years. A Scottish consultation document will be produced in the New Year with a white paper to follow.
  6. Scotland’s airports at present have international direct scheduled flights to 18 destinations in 13 countries with a further 56 international destinations in 19 countries served by indirect flights (with one stop). Media can obtain a full list of direct and indirect flights by contacting the number given below.