Source:
www.thisisnorthscotland.com
FLIGHTS TO SPAIN IN JEOPARDY
16:00 - 18 February 2003
Direct flights from Aberdeen to Spain with Scotland's newest airline could be pulled before they start due to a lack of interest from the public. Air-Scotland's operations managers are holding talks this week to discuss action after only getting a handful of bookings for its two new weekly services to Spain.
Aberdeen Airport bosses claim sales are significantly down compared to the introduction of similar flights at other Scottish airports, and urge the public to make the most of the deals on offer.
Local politicians have also voiced concern over the take-up, fearing the worst if things do not improve.
Holidaymakers in the North-east have long complained of the lack of direct flights from Aberdeen to Mediterranean destinations meaning they face long journeys to other airports.
Details of the new flights to Barcelona and Majorca were revealed this month and it was expected they would sell quickly. But to date, only 35 seats have been sold and the bemused operator is now saying "use it or lose it".
Dhia Al-Ani, Air-Scotland's founder and chairman, said: "There has hardly been any bookings yet. Something's clearly not right, but we've got no idea what it can be."