Scots-Welsh air link welcomed

bmibaby is planning to fly to seven new destinations

The return of air services linking Scotland and Wales has been welcomed by Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell.

Low-cost airline bmibaby has launched services from Cardiff International Airport to a range of European destinations, including Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The new services to and from Edinburgh and Glasgow represent the reinstatement of the withdrawn services previously operated by British Airways.

Welcoming the new services, Mrs Liddell said: "This is great news for Scottish and Welsh business travellers and holiday makers.

Helen Liddell welcomed the new services

"Those from the central belt of Scotland can now fly to the heart of south Wales with easy access to south-west England.

"The reinstatement of these services proves the level of demand that exists."

She added: "It's now up to the business sector and travelling public to grasp the opportunities these new services offer."

The airline will fly from Cardiff to Alicante, Belfast International, Edinburgh, Faro, Glasgow, Jersey and Malaga.

Geneva and Milan Bergamo will be added in December.

The airline's managing director, Tony Davis, said he was confident the new routes would be a success.

The number of air passengers flying out of Scotland has continued to grow, with Glasgow in September up 5.2% compared to the same month last year, Aberdeen up 4.3%, Prestwick 8% and Edinburgh up 8.7% over the year.