This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New Scotland-Sweden air link
13/08/2003
A new direct air service from Scotland to Sweden is to receive support from the £6.8 million Route Development Fund set up to encourage European business links and tourism.
The Ryanair flight will operate from Glasgow Prestwick to Gothenburg starting from October and is the 10th new air route to be supported by the Executive.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"I am pleased that we are able to continue our support for new direct flights to Scotland. This new service to Gothenburg is an important development and shows the potential for further growth.
"The early success of the Glasgow Prestwick to Skavsta service, which was one of the first routes we supported, has encouraged this extra investment in today's new route.
"These two new routes within a year follow the successful 'Scotland in Sweden' programme last October. One of our main objectives was to promote Scotland as a tourist and business destination - so this is significant progress.
"It is important that Scotland has good connections to Europe and the rest of the world. By supporting more direct routes to Scotland we encourage better business links and open up more opportunities for visitors.
"Continuing this Fund means we can work towards actively supporting this growth."
Tourism Minister Frank McAveety added:
"Sweden is a key market for Scottish tourism, and I am sure this new air route will encourage even more Swedes to come to Scotland. to sample some of our unique culture and heritage, experience the vibrancy of our cities and play golf on some of the finest courses in the world."
Today's announcement is the tenth route to benefit from Executive support following the introduction of new routes to Jersey, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Italy and Switzerland.
Mary McLaughlin, Head of Transport at Scottish Enterprise, said:
"Today's announcement means that thanks to the Route Development Fund Scotland now has ten new direct air routes which will be of major benefit to Scotland and the economy.
"Discussions with airlines, airports and operators are continuing and we will have another opportunity to promote Scotland next month when the air industry's conference, Routes 2003, is held in Edinburgh."
The Route Development Fund is provided through the recent Scottish budget resources with £5 million from the budget, £500,000 from the Integrated Transport Fund, £1 million from Scottish Enterprise and £300,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
The fund is operated in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise who administer the fund on the Executive's behalf.
The 'Scotland in Sweden' programme last October , was a four-day programme of events designed to position the country as a modern, knowledge-based economy, and to promote Scotland as a holiday and visit destination for tourists and business travellers.
Routes is the annual route development meeting of the world's airlines and airports. Representatives from up to 200 airlines and up to 500 airports are expected to attend.