Estonian "in talks" om å starte Tallinn-Edinburgh

[MD90]

Fra Baltic Business News, 16DEC04:

Estonia's national air carrier, Estonian Air, may open a direct route to Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, The Scotsman reports. Mr Malcolm Robertson, chief spokesman for Scotland's airport operator, BAA Scotland, confirms that they are in talks with Estonian Air on opening twice weekly flights from Tallinn to Edinburgh. The route would offer the first direct connection from Scotland to the Baltic States, and provide a good link to Helsinki and St Petersburg as well.

Mr Bill Furness, CEO of Edinburgh's Chamber of Commerce, believes the route could attract hundreds of Estonians to work in shops, hospitals, restaurants and bars, where there is a shortage of labour. Mr Neil Renilson, CEO of the local bus operator, Lothian Buses, would also welcome such a route, since it would open up the labour market. Mr Kenny MacAskill, Member of the Scottish Parliament, added that Dublin had benefited greatly from new flights to Eastern Europe, with hundreds of migrant workers coming to Ireland.