Dundee Airport will get a new direct route to Amsterdam, the UK Government has announced.
After months of pressure and lobbying, particularly by the city’s constituency MP Chris Law, the news emerged as Chancellor George Osborne unveiled his Autumn Statement.
A note from the Scotland Office about how the spending review will impact north of the border said: “The £7 million Regional Air Connectivity Fund will support new air routes, including from Dundee to Amsterdam and Edinburgh to Oxford.”
The service would be to Schiphol, the major international hub which serves Amsterdam and which offers global onwards connectivity.
Dundee City Council leader Councillor Ken Guild said: “This is great news for the city and testament to the local case that has been made for a route between Dundee Airport and Amsterdam.Chancellor stuns Commons with tax credits U-turn“The council has been working closely with its partners in the Department for Transport, Transport Scotland, Highland and Islands Airports and Flybe on this exciting initiative.
“Amsterdam is a major European hub, and any link with Dundee would have tremendous tourism and business benefits for our city and the wider area.
“I look forward to further details being released about this announcement.”
Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce chief executive Alison Henderson said: “I am delighted to see the Dundee to Amsterdam air route receiving support in the budget statement.
“With the V&A Dundee and Waterfront development bringing anticipated increases in the region’s tourism, hospitality and professional services sectors, along with the benefits that a direct link to a strong European hub airport brings to the wider community, this is a very welcome announcement.
“The increased leisure and business tourism activity that this will bring our region is very important to the economic growth of Dundee and Angus.”For more on this story including exclusive news of why the planned service may already be facing turbulence see Thursday’s Courieror try our digital edition.