Thomson and First Choice have announced plans to increase capacity at the Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports in summer 2015 with the introduction of 34,000 extra seats. The holiday brands will also add five new routes including Dubrovnik, Croatia and Marrakesh, Morocco from Glasgow; Antalya, Turkey and Rhodes, Greece from Edinburgh; and Faro, Portugal from Aberdeen.
The new routes went on sale on April 24.
With the expansion, Scottish customers will be able to choose varying duration holiday packages (not just the standard seven and 14 night stays) to some new destinations with access to some of Thomson and First Choice’s most popular hotels. These include the new Thomson Couples Atlantic Palace in Sorrento, Italy for summer 2015, which will be served by flights from Glasgow to Naples, and Thomson Sensatori Resorts in Ibiza and Turkey’s Dalaman region.
Croatia’s popular Dubrovnik region will be served from Glasgow, offering holidaymakers the chance to enjoy a cruise and stay in Dubrovnik for the summer season.
Aberdeen Airport offers more choice to passengers travelling to Palma, Majorca with the introduction of an additional flying day, bringing the total number of destinations served from Aberdeen to six in summer 2015. Edinburgh Airport will serve 16 destinations from next summer, and Glasgow 32 destinations, including additional Paphos, Cyprus; Dalaman, Turkey; and Ibiza flights.
Commenting on the expansion, Karen Switzer, Director of Aviation Planning for Thomson and First Choice, said: ‘Expanding access to our portfolio of destinations and hotels is a key part of our overall strategy and we hope that this move will enhance the holiday experience for our customers.’
Francois Bourienne, commercial director at Glasgow Airport, said: ‘The decision by Thomson and First Choice to add Dubrovnik and Marrakesh to the long list of destinations it already serves from Glasgow Airport is clear evidence of its willingness to respond to an increase in demand for these new and exciting destinations.’
Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh airport added: ‘It’s fantastic news that Thomson and First Choice are providing more choice to Antalya and Rhodes from Edinburgh where these popular destinations will be even more accessible. We look forward to working with Thomson to continue to expand customer choice and ensure that all travelling through Edinburgh Airport will have a fantastic start to their holiday’.