I see that Globespan are up in arms that easyJet have the audacity to compete against them on the EDI/GLA to GVA route this winter/next summer:
SCOTLAND'S budget airline has hit out at another company being given funding to run a rival route from the Capital to Geneva.
Edinburgh-based Flyglobespan, which currently operates winter flights between Edinburgh and the Swiss city, has slammed the Scottish Executive's decision to subsidise English carrier easyJet to open a year-round route.
The company claims two services by different airlines on the route cannot be sustained and has warned of a "bloodbath" between the rival carriers.
The funding is part of the Route Development Plan, run by Scottish Enterprise to support new air links which will have a direct economic benefit to Scotland.
Scottish Enterprise hopes the route, currently used chiefly by holidaymakers heading for the ski slopes, will kick-start a business link between Edinburgh and Geneva's financial services industry, as well as boost Scotland's tourism from central Europe.
But easyjet rather than Flyglobespan was chosen for the subsidised route, even though the Scots company has been running winter flights to Geneva since 2003.
Tom Dalrymple, chairman of Globespan, said: "We are extremely disappointed at this decision. It reeks yet again of maladministration on the part of the Executive. The Route Development Fund is a very sensible idea, but we have to ask has it been applied properly in this case- and the answer would be no.
"It is highly debatable whether the route can sustain two carriers, so there will be a fair bloodbath when the two carriers start to run together."
He added: "As a Scottish company, we do not expect privilege from the Scottish Executive, but what we would like is a level playing field."
Airlines must acquire slots for their planes to land at airports, but Flyglobespan currently only has landing time during the winter.
Mr Dalrymple said Flyglobespan had been unable to apply for funding to expand to a year-round service because it had been unable to get enough landing slots at Geneva.
SNP MSP Kenny MacAskill said: "Flyglobespan has transformed flights for Scots and for Edinburgh residents in particular. I welcome easyJet joining the Route Development Plan, but there should be more flexibility and we should not endanger our indigenous businesses."
A Scottish Enterprise spokesman said the funding would only apply from April until December - when Flyglobespan does not run a service - although easyJet has to run the route all year round, at an average of five times a week.
He said: "The new easyJet service will provide an important year-round link with the business and hi-tech research communities in Geneva and surrounding area. In deciding to support it we took into account the fact that Globespan operated on that route in the winter and will only support easyJet's summer service."
EasyJet was unavailable for comment.
I distinctly remember Globespan starting a EDI-STN route a couple of months ago and didn't see easyJet going crying to the press.
Do they really believe that any Route Development Plan Grant give's them the right to a monopoly?
easyJet must be laughing at all the free press they're getting in Scotland over this.....