Ryanair launches seven new routes

Ryanair is now offering more routes from Edinburgh

A budget airline has announced the launch of seven more routes from the Scottish capital.

Ryanair will also add two Boeing 737-800 planes to its Edinburgh base.

Tickets are now on sale for the new routes, which begin on 30 March, to and from Carcassonne, Limoges, Leipzig, Malta, Poitiers, Rome and Zadar.

There will also be more flights to Alicante and Dusseldorf this spring. The move is part of a £70m expansion of Ryanair's services.

Ryanair claimed the changes will increase annual passenger numbers at Edinburgh Airport to almost two million, sustain 2,000 jobs and bring almost £210m in tourism money to Edinburgh.

Gordon Dewar, the airport's managing director, said the expansion was a "fantastic vote of confidence" in the city.

"Ryanair's continued growth from Edinburgh Airport is great news for Scottish passengers.

"Despite the credit crunch, Edinburgh's international route network continues to expand, providing more choice and lower fares for air travellers, and making Edinburgh better connected than ever before.

"This announcement is also good news for the capital's billion-pound tourist industry, providing a welcome boost for our local hotel and tourism sector, and supporting thousands of new and existing jobs in the region."