United Airlines has inaugurated its nonstop seasonal service between Edinburgh and its Washington Dulles International Airport hub.
Marking this special occasion, customers, guests, United employees and crew joined Bob Schumacher, United managing director, sales, UK & Ireland, Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport and Keith Brown, Scottish government cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work for a special gate celebration.
The event included a Scottish piper welcoming the first passengers from the United States and a spectacular water cannon salute as United flight 147 departed Edinburgh for Washington.
“We are excited to inaugurate our nonstop seasonal service between Edinburgh and our Washington hub, connecting the two capital cities for the very first time,” said Schumacher.
“Our new flight strengthens our international route network and provides our customers from Scotland with greater travel choice, with almost 70 non-stop connections from Washington to other destinations across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.”
The flights will operate daily until October 4th.
Dewar said: “This fantastic addition to Edinburgh Airport will link our two capital cities for the first time and strengthen the already strong links between Scotland and America.
“We know that Edinburgh and Scotland are a huge draw for inbound tourists and we look forward to welcoming and showing them the fantastic sights and history that we have, and the allure of a dynamic city like Washington and all of its landmarks will prove to be a popular attraction with those passengers looking to experience the best of America.
“Business on both sides of the Atlantic will also benefit from increased access.
“We fly to more than 150 destinations worldwide and we’re always looking to establish new direct links to destinations across the globe and offer greater choice to the 13.4 million people who travel through Scotland’s busiest airport ever year.”