The SPAA has applauded the EC’s decision to award all the ‘remedy slots’ relinquished by IAG in its takeover of bmi to a single airline - Virgin Atlantic. The decision comes in the wake of assertive lobbying by the Association, a number of Holyrood MSPs and other stakeholders, and against the background of the recent SPAA survey of travel agents, canvassing their views on the matter.
97% of those polled had expressed the view that the best way to deliver long-lasting competition and “the best deal” for Scottish air passengers was for one airline to provide strong competition on the key Scottish routes in question : Aberdeen - Heathrow and Edinburgh - Heathrow.
Commenting on the EC decision SPAA President Kevin Thom said ‘’This is an excellent outcome for Scottish business and leisure travellers – and it demonstrates an understanding by the European Commission of the needs of Scottish business and commerce. Undoubtedly, our travelling business community – consumers and providers – will get solidly behind the new Virgin Atlantic services to London Heathrow and beyond - on both VS and other international airlines with worldwide connectivity to offer.
In addition, we firmly believe this decision will ultimately strengthen the position of the other airlines offering Anglo-Scottish services - with whom we also work closely. Robust competition sustains product quality and promotes competitive pricing - and that will grow the market for all the airlines involved!”
MTB 23/11/2012
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