Glasgow Airport secures Florida flights boost with 19,000 extra seats to Orlando. One of the world’s leading airlines has confirmed a major increase in capacity at Glasgow Airport with almost 19,000 extra seats to Florida next year. Virgin Atlantic is set to launch twice weekly flights from Glasgow to Orlando International, from April to October 2011. The airline, which began flying from Glasgow Airport in 2007, currently operates 20 flights to Florida during the peak holiday season. The expansion will see a three-fold increase in the number of flights operated by Virgin Atlantic from Glasgow next year. Glasgow is the only airport in Scotland to offer flights to the Sunshine State.

Home to some of America’s best known visitor attractions, Florida is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the US, attracting more than 51,000 departing passengers from Scotland in 2009. The airline will operate a 451 seat Boeing 747- 400 aircraft, the only passenger jumbo jet operating in Scotland. Virgin will offer three cabins – economy, business and their award winning first class service. Passengers can choose from flight only packages, flight and hotel deals and fly-drive holidays. Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, told ‘Gateway’: ‘Virgin Atlantic have been a real hit with passengers at Glasgow and we’re delighted to see them respond with a huge increase in flights next summer. They’re one of the world’s premier airlines and we love having them at Glasgow.’

She added: ‘Increasing our long-haul capacity remains a key priority for us, and this expansion from Virgin Atlantic is a real boost. We hope Virgin Atlantic will consider further expansion from Glasgow in the future.’

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A new summer flight guide is promising a world of opportunities for holidaymakers at Glasgow Airport this summer. Themed ‘Discover the world from Glasgow’, the new guide highlights the many worldwide destinations available direct from Glasgow, Scotland’s long haul gateway and will be distributed to the travel trade, local hotels and visitor attractions, and to homes across the west of Scotland. The new summer programme sees the return of US Airways, flying daily from Glasgow to Philadelphia, one of America’s fastest growing tourist destinations, and a popular Mecca for shoppers lured by its taxfree offers.

Virgin Atlantic is also stepping up its summer programme to Orlando, with 14 flights scheduled during the peak holiday season. The airline will operate a Boeing 747 aircraft on the route, the only passenger jumbo jet operating in Scotland. Canadian Affair will offer Scotland’s only direct flights to Canada, flying six times a week from Glasgow to Toronto, and weekly to Calgary and Vancouver. This summer’s hottest destinations are expected to include Cancun in Mexico, Turkey, Egypt and Bulgaria. All four offer fantastic family holidays at a fraction of the price of more traditional European resorts.

More than 15 new services will take off this summer, including new flights to Cork and Donegal, operated by Aer Lingus Regional and Aer Arann respectively. Scotland’s largest independent travel agency, Barrhead Travel, is also branching out into the airline market with its own brand flights and holiday packages to Barcelona and Palma. Flights are operated by British Airways. Sunways Holidays will also serve Barcelona this summer. The UK’s largest holiday airline Thomas Cook is adding an extra aircraft to its Glasgow base, bringing the total number of based aircraft to six, with 29 destinations on offer. Meanwhile, new operator Kiss Flights, is launching new flights to a dozen popular sunspot destinations, including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Palma, Corfu, Dalaman, Heraklion, Rhodes and Paphos.

Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport told ‘Gateway’: ‘After a very difficult year, demand is beginning to strengthen and we are delighted that so many of our holiday operators have responded to this growing demand with new and increased programmes for summer 2010. ‘With flights to Canada, the US, the Caribbean, Europe and the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Gulf and Asia, Glasgow offers more long-haul destinations than any other Scottish airport. If you want to see the world, the choice is clear. Fly from Glasgow.’

The new summer guide includes up to date flight information, advice on how to get to the airport, and helpful hints to make the journey through the airport more enjoyable. Copies are available online at www.glasgowairport.com or within the airport terminal.

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Flights to exotic Cape Verde, the Caribbean and Croatia are set for take-off

Scottish holidaymakers can look forward to three new destinations from Glasgow in summer 2011. Holiday airline Thomson is to launch new long haul flights to Cape Verde, an idyllic island off the coast of West Africa, and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Holiday flights to the Croatian resort of Pula will also take off from next May. With its picture postcard towns and villages, bone white beaches and a unique blend of African, Portuguese and Brazilian cultures, Cape Verde is one of the hottest new holiday destinations.

Punta Cana is the latest Dominican Republic resort to be served from Glasgow. The Caribbean island is already well served, with summer flights to Puerto Plata and winter holiday packages to La Romana. Situated on the southern end of the Istra Peninsula, around one of the most beautiful bays in the Adriatic, historic Pula is a popular summer resort, renowned for its Roman architecture, including its first century amphitheatre, which is still used as summer concert venue. Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, welcomed Thomson’s expansion from Glasgow – one of the UK’s biggest holiday airports. She told ‘Gateway’: ‘The charter market remains strong at Glasgow and many holidaymakers appear to be returning to the traditional package holiday because of the value for money they provide, and the fantastic choice of destinations they serve.

‘The addition of new flights to Cape Verde, Punta Cana and Pula is good news for holidaymakers looking for great value holidays in the sun.’ Flights to Cape Verde operate every Sunday from 1 May to 30 October, and to Punta Cana every Saturday, from 14 May to 29 October 2011. Pula is served every Tuesday from 3 May until mid September.

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Rather than ground flights due to the closure of airspace above Keflavik Airport, Icelandair twice moved their entire hub operation to Scotland’s long-haul airport recently. Thousands of passengers due to travel on transatlantic flights to cities like New York, Boston and Seattle passed through without a hitch. Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, Amanda McMillan, was full of praise for Glasgow Airport staff: ‘The response from our terminal and operations teams to the influx of Icelandair passengers, crew and aircraft was phenomenal. It demonstrates our ‘can-do’ attitude and ability to respond quickly and effectively in the face of a major crisis.’ In a normal week, Icelandair operates four flights from Glasgow Airport to Reykjavik. See www.icelandair.co.uk for more information.

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New services to Cork and Donegal have launched from Glasgow Airport. Irish carriers Aer Arann and Aer Lingus have joined forces to create Aer Lingus Regional, a new airline which will serve Cork and offer increased frequency to Dublin. Aer Arann have also launched a new service to Donegal after switching their operation from Prestwick. See www.aerarann.com and www.aerlingus.com

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Famous faces from the fashion world will fly into Glasgow Airport before descending on the Glasgow Science Centre for the 2010 Scottish Fashion Awards. Catwalk stars, major fashion industry figures and celebrities from the official nominee list will attend the glittering VIP event in June. The awards, presented by LAbased fashion personality Louise Roe, will honour the very best of Scottish fashion from designers, fashion photographers, models, stylists, make-up artists, fashion writers, fashion marketers and present a phenomenal opportunity for home grown talent to showcase their work.

Dolly Jones, Editor of Vogue.com and judge is a big fan of the event: ‘It is great to see Scottish talent receiving its rightful recognition. Some of British fashion’s brightest talents hail from Scotland and the success of this ongoing event is a deserved celebration of that.’ The Scottish Fashion Awards experience will begin for VIPs as soon as they land on the runway at Glasgow Airport, where an exclusive photoshoot took place to promote last year’s event. Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, told ‘Gateway’: ‘We are delighted Glasgow Airport has been chosen as the official airport for the Scottish Fashion Awards, a special event which has grown significantly over the years.

‘The awards have played a key part in placing Scotland firmly on the international fashion stage, and the fact they are taking place in Glasgow this year is fantastic for the city.’ She added: ‘In terms of fashion, it has never been a better time to visit Glasgow Airport. Last year we opened our new-look departure lounge, which provided passengers with more space to relax and an exciting array of fashion retailers. ‘That process is ongoing and we are planning further terminal refurbishment in 2010 to further improve the passenger experience. We also hope to be making some very exciting announcements regarding new retailers in the near future.

‘We wish the Scottish Fashion Awards continued success and look forward to working with Tessa and her team to ensure visitors to this year’s event enjoy a very warm welcome at Glasgow Airport, and a great night at the Science Centre on June 20th.’ www.scottishfashionawards.com

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