---

Executive wastes money, says Go
Iain Dey

NO-FRILLS airline Go pointed the finger at the Scottish executive yesterday, cheekily claiming that £250,000 of taxpayers’ money was being wasted on travel every year.

The airline, which used to be part of British Airways, said ministers and officials were passing up huge savings by failing to use low-fares carriers for regular travel, and opting for traditional, all-in airlines instead.

Go’s Scottish manager, Yvonne Work, said: "On the basis of the month from 11 September and assuming that many of the journeys will be to London we estimate that the difference could be over £20,000 - every month."

She added: "Although the Scottish executive has negotiated special deals with the traditional carriers there is still a huge gap in price."

The cheeky announcement, which came as Jim Wallace faced up to First Minister’s questions, followed a written question from MSP Kenny MacAskill, which asked how many executive ministers and officials had flown with budget carriers since 11 September.

In response, finance minister Angus Mackay was forced to admit that of the 739 flights made in the month following 11 September, only five were with low-cost carriers.

A spokesman for Mackay said yesterday that the out-of-town airports used by budget carriers incurred extra cost and inconvenience and as the fares are generally non-refundable, it did not fit in with the rapidly changing plans of ministers.

Go refuted the claims its routes were inflexible and fares non-refundable, pointing to its "fully flexible fare" option, which Work said "can be changed at no extra cost or hassle and is fully refundable".

But a fully flexible fare is not the £10 each way London-Edinburgh service the airline is currently advertising, but a package costing £135. Work added: "These fares are lower than the government fares negotiated with the traditional carriers."

---