HOLYROOD TO HOLLYWOOD

Airline announce plan for direct Edinburgh to California flights

A LOW-COST airline have revealed plans to launch budget flights from Scotland to California.

Norwegian chief executive Bjorn Kjos has said routes from Edinburgh to Los Angeles and San Francisco are “highly likely” by 2019.

He was speaking as he launched the inaugural Norwegian flight from Edinburgh Airport to the US on Thursday.

The first destination is Stewart Airport in upstate New York, a 90-minute drive from the Big Apple.

The airline also started flights to Providence, Rhode Island, yesterday. A third route – to Hartford, Connecticut – will take off today.

Norwegian’s ambitious expansion plans could also include services between Edinburgh and Canadian cities such as Toronto, along with more US destinations.

Kjos said: “I think we can fly from a lot of American cities into Scotland. We are going to bring a lot of tourists from the States to Edinburgh.” Fares for the initial three routes start from about £250 return. While that’s much cheaper than the three other airlines flying between Edinburgh and New York, Norwegian charge extra for baggage, food and drink.

Kjos said routes to California would be launched once the airline had taken delivery of more long-range Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Boeing 737s are used on routes to the East Coast.

Asked about the prospect of direct flights to San Francisco, and LA, he said: “I hope we will see that not too far ahead.

“It is highly likely to be in 2019. Los Angeles is an obvious place.”

Kjos said he was also looking at flights between Edinburgh and the US Midwest, using Airbus A321s that are on order.

He added: “A lot of people from Scotland live in that area.”

A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: “Norwegian are keen to grow, which is really exciting for us.

“The new routes have the feel of a different, pioneering service.”

International development minister Alasdair Allan, who helped launch the inaugural flight, said: “This is just the start of Norwegian’s long-haul operations from Edinburgh and Scotland.

“They have placed a significant order for new aircraft, so we look forward to more exciting developments in the future.”

We are going to bring a lot of tourists from the States

BJORN KJOS