Budget Airlines in Price War Over Flights From Capital

By ALAN RODEN Transport Reporter

RIVAL budget airlines have entered into a price war to win over holidaymakers travelling from Edinburgh Airport.

Scottish airline FlyGlobespan today announced two new summer destinations from the Capital, and undercut its competitors in the process.

By the end of November, a host of other low-cost airlines are expected to have launched new routes from the city, with a range of Eastern European cities and sun-drenched resorts in the offing.

It means holidaymakers wanting to fly direct from Edinburgh will have more choice next summer.

FlyGlobespan said weekly flights will be available to the popular hotspot of Murcia in Spain from next April, with return trips available for at least GBP 8 less than other airlines.

Leeds-based rival Jet2.com announced the first direct flights to the same Costa Calida resort from Edinburgh earlier this week, at a minimum price of GBP 33 one-way. FlyGlobespan also revealed it will be flying to the clubbers’ paradise of Ibiza from Edinburgh twice a week. It will be the first time holidaymakers can fly direct to the island without booking a package from travel agents.

The company today said more announcements on new destinations will be made in the coming weeks, and the airline will increase the number of planes it has based in Edinburgh by 50 per cent.

FlyGlobespan founder and chairman Tom Dalrymple said: “These two new routes are part of what will turn out to be a massive expansion of our services at Edinburgh Airport next year.

“We are going to have new destinations and we are expanding our service on existing routes. We are just finalising slots and timetables for the new routes right now.

“We are keeping our fares low and offering flights to the more popular summer destinations.

“We will have six aircraft based in Edinburgh next year, as opposed to the four we currently have.”

FlyGlobespan also announced a more regular service to Faro in Portugal, which will become a daily destination from the end of May.

The firm already flies to London Stansted, Geneva, Nice, Palma and Barcelona – the airline’s most popular route.

The fierce competition for budget holidaymakers has taken off in recent years, led by easyJet and Ryanair. Some airlines even offer free travel – all the passenger has to pay is taxes.

Jet2.com is the latest low-cost firm to establish a strong base at Edinburgh, and has promised to provide new routes at its customers’ demand.

A company spokesman said: “Jet2.com is delighted to have launched its Edinburgh to Murcia service this week. We offer the most low- cost flights to the Spanish sun with up to five flights per week.” Next Monday, the first direct flight from Poland to Edinburgh will arrive in the Scottish capital, again operated by a budget airline.

But airport operator BAA has also been successful in attracting more prestigious names on to its runway, with Delta recently announcing a direct flight to Atlanta in the United States.

Managing director Richard Jeffrey said: “We are absolutely delighted that more direct international flights are available for travellers.

“FlyGlobespan are already very well established at Edinburgh Airport and we look forward to their further expansion.”

The city’s airport is expanding at a rapid rate, with more than eight million passengers travelling to and from Edinburgh already this year. Last month saw a 12.9 per cent increase in international traffic.

BAA expects the number of flights in and out of the Capital to more than double by 2030 and passenger numbers to treble to 26 million. The company wants to add a second main runway as part of a GBP 1 billion expansion.