Virgin Atlantic has revealed plans to launch multiple daily flights between Heathrow and Scotland.
The airline confirmed that it wants to begin running services from Edinburgh and Aberdeen, in addition to its three-time daily connection from Manchester to Heathrow.
An application for 12 daily slot-pairs at Heathrow, which British Airways’ parent IAG is forced to relinquish after its takeover of BMI, has been submitted by Virgin Atlantic.
Virgin is hoping the move will “re-inject competition” for passengers, after BA’s deal saw it become the sole carrier on the two Scottish routes to Heathrow.
The airline hopes to operate the flights to Edinburgh and Aberdeen from March 2013. New York, Vancouver, Sydney and Mumbai form some of the most popular onward destinations from Heathrow for Scottish passengers.
“Virgin Atlantic is totally committed to providing a competitive price and choice for passengers flying from Scotland to Heathrow and beyond,” said Steve Ridgway Virgin Atlantic chief executive.
“At least 1.8 million Scottish passengers, equivalent to a third of the population, have been left without a choice on these routes since IAG’s takeover of BMI. As a monopoly operator, BA has the opportunity, the incentive and the means to increase fares and reduce the number of flights available.
“As we shook up the status-quo in long-haul travel nearly 30 years ago, we’re now doing all we can to have the same decisive impact on the short haul market.”
Virgin has claimed that BA is reducing the number of daily flights between Aberdeen and Heathrow by nearly one third, and by a quarter between Edinburgh and Heathrow.
“Our aim is to reach a significant new base of both direct and connecting passengers, and in doing so we intend to bring our award-winning service, competitive prices and greater choice to the Scottish travelling public,” added Ridgway.
Virgin Atlantic has also made a significant bid for the ex-BMI routes. The European Commission is expected to reach a decision on all bids by the end of the year.
