Senior politicians have vowed to drag Flybe and Dundee Airport’s owners round a table to ensure a daily flight from the city to Amsterdam goes ahead.
Chancellor George Osborne announced £1.2 million for the route in his Autumn Statement but it emerged just hours later that a separate contractual dispute between Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL) and the flight operators cast doubt over the plans.
Both sought to play down the troubles as it emerged the UK Government was working behind the scenes to seal the deal, as was Dundee West SNP MP Chris Law.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “Arrangements between airports and airlines are a commercial matter.
“The Department for Transport is working with those parties involved in the operation of the proposed Dundee to Amsterdam route and I have asked my officials to stay closely involved.
“As Secretary of State for Scotland, I stand ready to assist in any way possible in order to ensure that this important new route starts to bring economic benefits to the people of Dundee and surrounding areas as soon as possible.”
After months of pressure and lobbying, cash was awarded as part of the £7 million Regional Air Connectivity Fund.
Mr Law said the Scottish Government, Dundee City Council, HIAL, and Dundee Airport were doing everything they could to deliver the route.
He added: “I am in contact with all stakeholders to make sure that everyone is working together to make this a reality. Rest assured that as the local MP, I will leave no stone unturned in an effort to get this flight off the ground.”
A HIAL spokesman told The Courier the “ongoing contractual matter has no relevance to the UK Government’s decision to support a new Dundee to Amsterdam service.”
He added: “The application for funding for the Dundee route originated from the airline and funding for the new route goes directly to the airline.
“Notwithstanding our ongoing discussions, Dundee Airport looks forward to working with Flybe to progress this exciting proposal for a new Amsterdam service.”
A Flybe spokesman said: “Flybe looks forward to working with HIAL to progress plans for this proposed new route once it resolves the airline’s current contractual issue, the details of which remain commercially confidential.”