By Brian Smith, aviation reporter

HOLIDAY FLIGHTS from Dundee to Spain could restart from 2010 after an absence of over a decade.

Flights from Dundee to Majorca operated for a single season in 1997 but for a variety of reasons, local travel agents Ramsay World Travel and the operators decided not to continue with them.

Company chief Colin Ramsay of Ramsay World Travel yesterday revealed talks with tour operators and airlines have been taking place for some time, and rated the prospects of flights to the Mediterranean from Dundee “better than 50-50.”

He said, “The new operators of the airport (Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd) have been very encouraging.

“It has been confirmed that we can operate one of the small Airbus aircraft from Dundee and we are looking at destinations in Northern Spain or Majorca.

“We have been speaking to a couple of operators and sadly one of them is no longer with us.

“However the other one, a major multi-national operator is fairly keen to expand in a modest way and sees potential in Dundee.

“Provisional discussions are continuing with interested parties.”

Dundee Airport manager Graeme Bell said, “Increasing the number of holiday charters from Dundee is an aspiration shared by us and the local travel trade.

“The airport has a good catchment area population which could support this.

“The annual programme of Jersey flights is well established and we are working with the local trade to secure further charter operations.”

He also confirmed that holidaymakers looking to enjoy summer sunshine in the Channel Islands can now book departures from Dundee Airport for 2009.

Holiday charter flights from Dundee to Jersey with Lewis’s Holidays will operate on Saturdays from May 2 with the final return into Dundee on September 12.