Commenting on the announcement that Virgin Atlantic is bidding to operate regular domestic air services linking Aberdeen and Edinburgh to London Heathrow, Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
'Scotland's business community knows how important a role Heathrow plays as the UK's hub airport but over recent years the links between Heathrow and Scotland's airports have become eroded and competition on these key routes all but eliminated.
'Against this background, the news that Virgin Atlantic has bid to provide new connections between Aberdeen and Edinburgh Airports and Heathrow is a breath of fresh air. Virgin Atlantic has recognised the need that exists for Scottish businesses to connect to international markets and also the opportunity that exists to open Scotland's doors to the world.
'It is in Scotland's interests to be connected in this way and for a strong and serious competitor to emerge to challenge British Airways' current monopoly on flights between Scotland and Heathrow. This announcement from Virgin Atlantic is the first step on a vitally important decision making process for Scotland. At the end, we need strong competition on routes to Heathrow, effective provision of services that deliver the hub connectivity that Scotland needs and the secure knowledge that these services will be sustainable in the long term.
