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By Karrie Gillett
BUDGET airline Ryanair has launched 11 new routes departing from Edinburgh.
The low-fares firm announced that it would be basing two new aircraft in the Scottish capital with flight paths expanding across Europe.
And to celebrate the move, flights to countries including France, Germany and Poland have been slashed to £10 one way until Sunday.
The Irish-based company will now have 23 routes to and from Edinburgh with two new ski destinations to Grenoble and Turin added to the list.
Lesley Kane, Ryanair head of sales and marketing, said the $140m expansion would significantly boost traffic in and out of the airport.
She said: “It means passengers from Edinburgh and the surrounding areas will have the choice to fly with a true low-cost airline.
“In total the 23 routes will deliver more than of 1.2 million passengers every year, generating an annual visitor spend of over €138m and sustaining 1,200 jobs in Edinburgh and East Scotland.”
Gordon Dewar, Edinburgh Airport managing director, said today marked a milestone in the airport’s route network.
He said: “Ryanair is now connecting Edinburgh with destinations in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Sweden and Slovakia.
“I am delighted to welcome the expansion here because Ryanair is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world.
“They have a huge ambition to keep growing and it’s one that we want to help match.”
