Scotland’s first low-cost airline launched
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-01-03 AT 11:45Â PM (GMT)]An Egyptian entrepreneur who came to the UK 20 years ago has launched Scotland’s first-ever low-cost airline.
The new airline, called Air-Scotland.com, was founded by Dhia Al-Ani and will fly directly to six Spanish destinations from Edinburgh and Glasgow with fares starting from as little as £25.
At present, low-cost carriers Easyjet and Ryanair do not operate direct routes from Scotland to Spain.
The ambitious 47-year-old Egyptian, who also runs the Glasgow-based tour operator Discount Holidays, wants to turn the low-budget operation into Scotland’s national flag carrier.
More routes
“Air-Scotland.com aims at carrying 115,000 passengers this year, and 250,000 in the fifth year. And we are currently negotiating further routes to Italy, France and Belgium.”
Air-Scotland.com was set up by Mr Al-Ani in partnership with Electra Airlines, a Greek charter company privately owned by a Belgian businessman.
Mr Al-Ani said he got the idea for setting up a low-cost airline after realising there was great interest in Spain to fly to Scotland directly and vice versa.
“Both ends wanted to come over, but the fares were quite high and people had to fly indirectly.
“We did some market research, which proved there was definitely a demand for cheap fares and flexible plane tickets between Spain and Scotland.”
Love at first sight
Mr Al-Ani first came to Scotland in 1982.
He visited on his way to America, where he was going to do a Ph.d. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
“But then I went to Scotland and just fell in love with the place. I met my wife and decided to stay and finish my studies here.”
He said his airline stood out from rival operators such as Easyjet and Ryanair because Air-Scotland.com actually flies into main city airports instead of nearby destinations.
He added that his airline also offered travellers a choice of which class to travel in, something that Easyjet and Ryanair do not do.
“People can buy flexible, but more expensive tickets for our premier class Thistle, and cheaper, less flexible tickets for our Tartan economy class.”
Mr Al-Ani said he plans to operate from all over Scotland.
“Electra Airlines are thinking about taking on two more planes, a Boeing 737 and a 767 because we want to expand our routes. We are launching from Glasgow and Edinburgh but in the future would also like to be based in Aberdeen and Prestwick.
Mr Al-Ani said a total of £47m had been invested in the five-year project and estimated the new airline will generate more than £170m for the Scottish economy over the next five years.
Air-Scotland.com’s two Boeings 757-200 are scheduled to start operating in March, flying from Edinburgh to Barcelona, Palma, Alicante, Malaga and Fuerteventura and from Glasgow airport to Barcelona, Palma and Tenerife.
Boost for Scottish tourism?
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Tourist Board welcomed the new airline.
“Spain has been an emerging market for us for quite some time now.
“The arrival of Air-Scotland.com means we have direct access to the Spanish market for the first time. This is crucial if we want to increase visitor numbers.”
A spokesman voor BAA Scottish Airports called the launch “an interesting move.”
“The key thing is that for the first time an airline has chosen its strategic base in Scotland. It will open up the market and provide the Scottish with more freedom of choice.”
Air-Scotland.com is currently recruiting staff on their website.
The launch of Air-Scotland.com in March comes just one month before another Scottish low-cost service starts flying to mainland Europe.
From April, Flyglobespan, a tour operator, will charter planes to fly from Glasgow Prestwick International airport to destinations in France, Italy and Spain.
http://www.air-scotland.com
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38702000/jpg/_38702683_scotair.jpg
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