Dundee's Bid for Amsterdam Air Link

An online petition has been launched calling upon the UK Government to approve Flybe’s bid for funding to support a daily Dundee to Amsterdam flight.

Chris Law, MP for Dundee West, is spearheading the campaign, in partnership with local MSP Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) and Ian Hudghton, MEP for Scotland.

The Dundee to Amsterdam route is among 15 shortlisted by the Department for Transport for three years’ worth of funding from the Regional Air Connectivity Fund.

The bidding airlines must now submit an ‘ex-ante’ business plan by 9th October, evidencing how the route will be commercially viable at the end of the funding period.

Dundee West MP Chris Law said:

“We have launched this petition to send a message to the UK Government that Dundee is behind this route, which has the potential to transform the airport’s fortunes.

“In the space of just a few hours we have seen hundreds of people signing up, demonstrating the support that exists for this bid.

“I’m very hopeful that the business case underpinning this route can be made, not least given the spike in visitor numbers that we are expecting from the V&A and our city's ongoing transformation.”

Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said:

“A couple of years ago the Scottish Government commissioned a study into the future of Dundee Airport and an Amsterdam link was highlighted as the most promising new route.

“There is no doubt that this service would be of considerable benefit to both business and tourism in Dundee.”

Scottish Government Minister Derek Mackay has also backed the bid, which is the only Scottish entry on the shortlist.

In a supporting letter to Chris Law MP and Joe FitzPatrick MSP dated 14th September [attached], Scottish Government Minister for Transport and Islands Derek Mackay MSP stated:

“With passenger numbers projected to be more than double the current annual total at the airport, I believe that a new Amsterdam service has the potential to be a game changer. For our part, the Scottish Government will do all it can to make the proposal a reality.”