This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
New air route from Aberdeen to Copenhagen
19/08/2004
A new air route from Aberdeen to Copenhagen was launched today.
The new Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) service from Aberdeen International Airport to Copenhagen Airport in Denmark will begin during October 2004, operating a 50 seater CRJ 200 aircraft.
The route is the 24th service to be offered support from the Executive's £6.8 million Route Development Fund, set up in November 2002 to help secure new direct air services to Scotland, to encourage business links and investment and inbound tourism.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"This is very good news for Scotland. Denmark is one of the world's most competitive countries and the Copenhagen area is a major hub for environmental technology-based companies. The new route to a major European capital will bring significant opportunities for business and tourism in the North East. The city also provides a vital gateway to Scandinavia and Northern Europe.
"This is a very important new route from Aberdeen that proves the potential of the airport to develop new international connections. The fund was set up as a direct response to requests from businesses, local authorities and the aviation industry. Today's announcement sees Aberdeen benefiting from another route to be offered support from the Executive and demonstrates the big part the Fund is playing in giving Scotland an edge in attracting new direct air services.
"Scotland needs excellent connections to a wide range of European destinations. New direct routes improve our business opportunities and also help reduce the environmental impact of air travel. Direct flights from Scotland mean we can seize on new opportunities and speed up travel times to key destinations."
Mary McLaughlin, Director of Transport at Scottish Enterprise, which manages the Route Development Fund on behalf of the Scottish Executive, said:
"This is the third route from Aberdeen to be secured through the fund and it is encouraging that the economic benefits, which are the driving factor for RDF support, are being felt across the country."
Philip Riddle, VisitScotland chief executive said:
"The announcement of this new direct service is great news not only for the North East, but for Scotland as a whole.
"Direct access is a key element in our ambition to grow the value of Scottish tourism, as the easier you make it for visitors to get here, the more likely they are to do so.
"There already exists a great affinity between the Scots and the Danes and through this new, daily service, we look forward to welcoming even more visitors from Denmark to enjoy all that Scotland has to offer."
Mr Stephen visited Groningen yesterday to see at first hand the potential economic benefits to be gained from Scotland's links with the Northern Netherlands. bmi launched the first direct flight, with support from the Executive's RDF, between Aberdeen and Groningen in May this year.
The Minister met Councillor Koen Schuiling, member of the Municipal Council of Groningen (Economic & Social Affairs, Tourism and Transport), Mr Dirk Nijdam, Director of Marketing Groningen, Mr Chiel Stutterheim, Director of Groningen Airport and Mr Jonas van Dorp, Sales Executive at Groningen Airport.
The first daily scheduled service between Aberdeen International Airport and Copenhagen Airport will be opened by SAS during October 2004. Services will be operated with a 50 seater CRJ 200 aircraft.
The Route Development Fund is provided through the 2002 Scottish Budget with £5.5 million from the Executive, £1 million from Scottish Enterprise and £300,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The fund is operated in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, who administers the fund on the Executive's behalf.
The Route Development Fund supports new air links where airlines can demonstrate the services will have a direct economic benefit to Scotland. The flights must involve regularly scheduled services and must not undermine existing flights. Twenty four offers of support have been made to date. The exact amount from the fund given to the airline cannot be disclosed due to reasons of commercial confidentiality.