A petition from Dundee West MP Chris Law for the UK Government to back plans for an air link between Dundee and Amsterdam has been strongly backed.
The MP tabled an early day motion in an attempt to persuade Westminster parties to approve Flybe’s bid for funding from the Regional Air Connectivity Fund for flights from Dundee to the Dutch capital.
Mr Law highlighted a 2013 scoping study carried out by Transport Scotland, which identified Amsterdam as the most obvious new route destination.
The campaign to establish an air linkhas recently been endorsed by Scottish Transport Minister Derek Mackay, who has signalled that the Scottish Government will do all it can to make the proposal a reality.
The Dundee bid is the only Scottish route that has been shortlisted and it is hoped that the motion will garner support from MPs across Scotland and beyond. The bidding airlines must now submit an “ex-ante” business plan by October 9, showing how the route will be commercially viable at the end of the funding period.
Mr Law, whose petition on the subject has gathered huge public support, insists that MPs should listen to the voices of locals and get behind the proposal.
He said: “Since I launched the petition just a matter of days ago almost 1,500 people have signed it, which is an indication of the level of support being expressed by local people.
“I have tabled an early day motion on the bid in order to send a message to Westminster that Dundee is behind this bid and wants to see it happen.
“An air link to Amsterdam would be transformational for Dundee and it would open up so many opportunities for business and tourism alike.”
The Courier revealed last month that MPs were looking at the possibility of subsidising the project.
Speaking previously about the plans Derrick Lang, HIAL’s Dundee Airport manager, said: “We welcome the UK Government’s decision to progress Flybe’s proposed Dundee to Amsterdam service for potential funding by the Regional Air Connectivity Fund.
“There is no doubt that this service would be of considerable benefit to business and tourism in Dundee and we are pleased that the proposed route will now be subject to further evaluation.”