Barrhead's plans to fill Globespan gap are ready to take off

The first of its scheduled flights is set to leave Glasgow tomorrow, with services initially set to fly to Majorca and Barcelona in Spain.

The firm already has plans to fly to a further six undisclosed destinations, with some services operating from Aberdeen.

Barrhead has chartered aircraft from the British Airways CityFlyer fleet, which will operate weekly during the initial five-month season.

Chief executive Sharon Munro said: "As one of the UK's best-recognised travel brands, the logical next step for Barrhead Travel was to develop its own package holiday programme.

"With our lower overheads and costs, and with our ability to cut out the conventional tour operator, we can pass our savings onto our customers."

Munro added: "We've planned this, painstakingly, for almost a year. Scotland has the demand for more direct, peak-season holiday packages and – with the recent sad demise of Flyglobespan and several other tour operators and airlines – the number of holidays available in 2010 will certainly be much lower than in previous years.

"Our summer programme will help to plug that gap."

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow airport, said: "Barrhead Travel's decision to start their own holiday programme is great news for both the airport and Scottish holidaymakers as they are a strong brand with a track record of providing quality value and service.

"Spain remains the most popular holiday destination for Scottish families, and with these flights also serving the Mediterranean cruise market, I am confident they will be a success."

Barrhead was launched in 1975 and has grown to encompass 16 branches and more than 450 staff.

Accounts filed at Companies House show that Barrhead turned over 80m in 2008, the most recent year for which details were available, up from 68m in 2007. Pre-tax profits for the same year rose from 679,000 to 924,000.