Poland profits from the proliferation of no-frills services

AIR links to Eastern Europe have grown rapidly during the past year and have now become one of the most competitive sectors of the Scottish flights market.

Award-winning and economic CSA Czech Airlines has ten flights a week from Edinburgh direct to Prague with a wide range of onward destinations including Budapest, Bucharest, Moscow, Riga, Tallin, Vilnius, St Petersburg and Sofia. The airline also flies to the Middle East and to North America.

Following Poland's entry into the EU, four budget airlines have announced eight no-frills services from Edinburgh and Prestwick airports to five key Polish cities, with most single fares available for less than £30.

Polish carrier Centralwings launched a service from Edinburgh to Warsaw last October then added Gdansk and Katowice in March.

A spokeswoman for Centralwings said: "Our rapid expansion reflects the increasing demand for travel linking Scotland with Poland, from business and tourist travellers, as well as immigrant workers flying to Scotland to work."

Eastern European low-cost carrier SkyEurope, pictured inset, started flights from the Scottish capital to Edinburgh's twin city of Krakow in April. A spokesman said: "

Krakow has evolved as a hot-spot tourist destination in Central Europe as it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Poland. Strong business links between Scotland and southern Poland will now have the chance to further flourish with this new connection."

Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire has also seen Krakow added to its departure boards. Irish cut-price carrier Ryanair started its first route from Scotland to Poland last November.

A Ryanair spokesman said: "Poland is one of our fastest growing destinations from Prestwick." As a result a second Polish service to Wroclaw, in the southwest of the country, takes off from 1 August.

Ryanair has recently faced up to competition from Wizz Air, Eastern Europe's largest no-frills airline, which started flights to Warsaw and Gdansk in March.

A spokesman for Wizz Air said: "Scotland is a destination that is going to be increasingly popular with people from Central and Eastern Europe. We are also confident that Scots will jump at the opportunity to get quickly and cheaply to great destinations like Warsaw and Gdansk."

Ewa Binkin, spokeswoman of visitPoland, the national tourist board, said: "Scots have a reputation for being a nation of explorers and Poland is one of the largest countries in Europe - but remains unknown to a certain extent.

"It has a lot to offer - it is a land of very diverse landscape and culture."

Binkin added that Poland's accession to the EU has also boosted tourism and business opportunities immensely. "Many people feel much more comfortable to visit now that the umbrella of Europe covers Poland. They can now expect the same European treatment and standards."

Source:By Colin Calder, Scotsman.com