Ryanair, an Ireland-based low cost airline, has reported its expansion plans for Scotland for 2013, to include eight new routes.
The airline’s 2013 summer schedule includes six new routes from Edinburgh, and two new routes from Glasgow airport, taking its total routes from Edinburgh Airport to 38, and Glasgow Airport to 27.
The six new routes from Edinburgh Airport include Bologna, Beziers, Cagliari, Corfu, Katowice and Santander, in Europe, and an increase of services on five existing routes.
The airline is offering two new routes to Rzeszow and Warsaw Modlin From Glasgow Prestwick Airport, and an expansion of services on four existing routes.
Michael O’Leary, the airline chief executive officer, said, ‘Ryanair is delighted to announce its Scottish summer 2013 schedule, which will deliver over 3m passengers p.a. and sustain over 3,000 jobs at Edinburgh and Glasgow Prestwick Airports.
Following successful negotiations with Edinburgh Airport’s new owners, Global Infrastructure Partners, Ryanair will grow its summer 2013 operations at Edinburgh by 11%, with 38 routes, including 6 new routes to/from Bologna, Beziers, Cagliari, Corfu, Katowice and Santander from April 2013, which will help deliver a total of 1.8m pax p.a. (persons per annum) and sustain 1,800 on-site jobs at Edinburgh Airport. This is a prime example of what can be achieved by dismantling the BAA monopoly and we look forward to further growth at Edinburgh Airport under its new ownership.
Our summer 2013 schedule will see us operate 27 routes at Glasgow Prestwick, including 2 new routes to Rzeszow and Warsaw Modlin, which will help deliver a total of 1.4m pax p.a. and sustain 1,400 on-site jobs Glasgow Prestwick Airport.’
Gordon Dewar, the chief executive officer of Edinburgh Airport, said, ‘I welcome Ryanair’s return to growth and investment at Edinburgh Airport. When I came to Edinburgh Airport in the summer, it was clear that we had to repair the relationship with Ryanair and work with them to provide more choice for Scottish passengers.
I’m pleased that today we can announce a new relationship and new routes. This announcement underlines the fact that Edinburgh and Scotland is an attractive market for a variety of operators and that we as an airport are open and willing to do business to expand our network and encourage growth.’
