By Karen Peattie

SCOTLAND’S embattled aviation sector has received a boost after easyJet unveiled plans to introduce a new daily flight between Aberdeen International Airport and London Gatwick from next summer.

The budget airline has also rescheduled the launch of a summer route from Glasgow Airport to Pula in Croatia, which had been planned for this year but was postponed as a result of the pandemic.

EasyJet’s faith in the future comes at a time when there has been much retrenchment in the industry. Ali Gayward, UK country manager for easyJet, alluded to “growing confidence by customers in making plans for travel next spring and summer”. She said: “In anticipation that demand for travel will return we continue to strengthen our network in Scotland, providing more direct domestic and international connections across the UK and Europe.

“Returning customer momentum is supported by the welcome news of the vaccination rollout which will enable normal life to resume including travelling again for work, study, to visit friends and family, or for a much-needed holiday.”

The year-round route, taking off in early May, will provide more direct connectivity between north-east Scotland and London, joining easyJet’s existing route between Aberdeen and Luton.

Derek Provan, chief executive of AGS Airports which owns Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, said: “We are in constant discussions with our airline partners to ensure we can support them with their plans throughout the pandemic.

“Bringing back business safely is a key priority at our airports and Gatwick will help strengthen Aberdeen’s connectivity with London. We are also delighted that Pula, which was postponed due to the pandemic, will be available for our passengers in Glasgow next summer.”

The easyJet announcement was embraced by Chris Foy, chief executive of VisitAberdeenshire, who described the new flight as “superb news for north-east tourism”. He said: “The Gatwick route will make it much easier to attract new visitors from south-east England, specifically those looking for a great escape to the region’s wide, open spaces and city attractions.

“It’s also a significant boost to the conference and events sector – improved connectivity only further strengthens the city’s appeal as a destination to bring the biggest and best events to the region.”

Earlier this week, AGS Airports, Edinburgh Airport and Airlines UK, the industry association representing UK-registered airlines, warned Scottish aviation is being left behind due to the lack of a coronavirus testing strategy. They called on the Scottish Government to make “urgent progress” on the introduction of an effective testing regime that will enable the safe restart of aviation and protect thousands of jobs.

Mr Provan said: “Airports and airlines in England can start making plans to safely restart international travel and get the aviation industry moving again. There are no such plans in place for Scotland.

“We now risk being left behind as airlines will opt to relocate their aircraft and with them what’s left of our connectivity and the jobs that rely on them.

“We have been calling for the introduction of a testing regime for months and despite putting proposals in front of the Scottish Government, we’re no further forward. We can’t have a piecemeal approach when it comes to reopening aviation which is why we need to see urgent progress from the Scottish Government on the introduction of testing which needs to go hand in hand with the vaccination rollout.”

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce has also voiced concerns about the future viability of aviation. Earlier this month, its chief executive, Stuart Patrick, said that “Scottish airports are going to be in a vicious competition to claw back lost connections” and asked “how quickly will demand for overseas holidays and business travel re-emerge and what shape will the aviation industry be in to respond?”.

He said: “The success of the city’s economy and its airport have to date been profoundly intertwined.

“The range and depth of our international air connectivity has an impact not just on leisure tourism, upon which so many of our local businesses depend, but on inward investment decisions in financial services and healthcare industries. And on the location choices made by literally hundreds of business conferences which have been the mainstay of the Scottish Events Campus, and on the ability of global industries like whisky and engineering to reach their markets all around the planet.”