Scotland's first long-haul route to resume with Edinburgh-Doha flights

Qatar Airways links Edinburgh with its Doha hub for long-haul connections.Qatar Airways links Edinburgh with its Doha hub for long-haul connections.
Qatar Airways links Edinburgh with its Doha hub for long-haul connections.
Qatar Airways will re-start flights to its Middle East hub next Wednesday, The Scotsman has learned.

Turkish Airlines has also notified the aviation industry it plans to fly again between the Scottish capital and its Istanbul hub four times a week from 15 July.

Both routes provide connections for long-haul destinations such as in Asia and Australia.

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Qatar’s is believed to have been the last Scottish long-haul route to have been suspended by travel restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, on 27 April.

Turkish Airlines launched its Edinburgh-Istanbul route in 2012.Turkish Airlines launched its Edinburgh-Istanbul route in 2012.
Turkish Airlines launched its Edinburgh-Istanbul route in 2012.

Those flights enabled Scots to get home and others to return to their home country.

Qatar had previously notified the aviation industry it intended to resume the flights on 1 June, then on 15 June, before putting them back to 1 July.

UK and Ireland manager Gary Kershaw said: “With the relaunch of flights to Edinburgh, Qatar Airways is clearly demonstrating its strong commitment to the Scottish market.

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Passengers to and from Edinburgh can seamlessly connect with over 40 cities across Africa, Asia, Australasia and the Middle East from the beginning of July.

“Qatar Airways has continually led the industry during these unprecedented months, accumulating unrivalled experience in carrying passengers safely and reliably.

“By maintaining a global network that never fell below 30 destinations, Qatar Airways has stayed up to date with the latest in international airport procedures and implemented the most advanced safety and hygiene measures on board its aircraft and in Hamad International Airport in Doha.”

Emirates

Fellow long-haul carrier Emirates plans to resume flights between Glasgow and its Dubai hub on 15 July.

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They would initially operate four days a week before increasing to daily from 1 Aug and twice a day from 1 September – their previous frequency.

The airline also intends to re-start its Edinburgh-Dubai route on 1 September.

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Delta Airlines plans to re-start Edinburgh to New York JFK flights from 2 August.

A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: “It’s encouraging to see airlines resuming services from Edinburgh and reconnecting Scotland to the world.

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“We know aviation will be a key driver for any economic recovery.

“It is also providing the opportunity for families and friends to physically reconnect after months apart in difficult circumstances.

“We look forward to welcoming airlines and passengers back to Edinburgh Airport and helping them to fly safe.”

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