Ryanair to set up new base at Edinburgh

Low-fares airline Ryanair has announced that it is to set up its 27th European base at Edinburgh Airport.

The carrier said that it will base two new Boeing 737s, worth $140 million (£70.4 million) in Edinburgh, which will serve a total of 19 routes to and from the city.

These new services are expected to bring some 1.2 million passengers per year to the Scottish capital, boosting the economy with over £100 million of spending and creating 1,200 jobs.

Alicante will be the first new destination served by Ryanair from Edinburgh, with flights to the Spanish destination beginning in March, followed by locations including Frankfurt, Pisa, Stockholm and Bratislava later in the year.

Sean Coyle, Ryanair's director of scheduled revenue services, said: "Edinburgh Airport has competed successfully against airports across Europe for Ryanair's 27th base.

"Our 19 routes will deliver significant economic benefits for Edinburgh by capitalising on Scotland's huge tourism potential and making it cheaper and easier than ever before to get here."

According to Mr Coyle, Ryanair already connects Scotland to more international destinations than any other airline.