University of Aberdeen offer key sponsorship to SPECTRA

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SPECTRA, Scotland’s Festival of Light, is delighted to announce the University of Aberdeen as key sponsor when it returns to Aberdeen in 2022.

From the Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 February, SPECTRA will once again light up the winter nights in Aberdeen encouraging audiences to get out and experience the city looking its best using light sculptures, architectural projections, neon and film to create new ways of exploring the city. 

The event which is inspired by Scotland’s Year of Stories will feature leading names from the UK and around the world creating a stunning lightscape across the city centre, including Marischal College, Upperkirkgate, Schoolhill, Marischal Square, and Aberdeen Art Gallery as locations for breath-taking installations.

Like Spectra, the University of Aberdeen is committed to supporting the year-round programme of cultural events taking place in Aberdeen, and Spectra is the perfect event suitable for friends and family alike, making the North East of Scotland the ideal destination for locals, visitors and staycationers in 2022.

Marischal College ‘Rainbow Laser Flares’ by Seb Lee-Delisle .

Professor Pete Edwards, Vice-Principal for Regional Engagement and Regional Recovery, said: “The University was established almost 527 years ago with the founding principle of being ‘open to all’. Much has changed through those centuries – and been accelerated in the last two years through the pandemic – but our commitment to deliver positive change locally and regionally has not. 

“Spectra is a celebration of creativity which also prides itself on bringing people together. We are delighted to be working with regional partners to deliver the 2022 festival and look forward to playing an important part in the cultural life of the North-east.”

Cllr Marie Boulton, Aberdeen City Council Culture Spokesperson said: “Aberdeen City Council are delighted that the University of Aberdeen have pledged to support Spectra, Scotland’s Festival of Light. Their sponsorship of this year’s festival shows that there is a bright future for events in Aberdeen, through strong partnerships and exciting productions. All of us across the city are looking forward to Spectra next month and seeing audiences return to a safe and vibrant city centre.”

Spectra is commissioned by Aberdeen City Council who have committed £250,000 for delivery of the festival in 2022. 

The Spectra website will share more information on the installations and how to enjoy them, whether travelling into the city centre with family or travelling from Dundee, Perth or Edinburgh with friends www.spectrafestival.com

‘Dolphin Watch’ Kate Charter at Aberdeen Art Gallery

Aberdeen Art Gallery wins architecture prize

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The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) announced that Aberdeen Art Gallery – designed by Hoskins Architects – is the winner of the 2021 Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award.

Aberdeen Art Gallery underwent a landmark redevelopment project between 2015 and 2019, supported by Aberdeen City Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This is the latest accolade for Aberdeen Art Gallery which was a joint winner of Art Fund Museum of the Year 2020 and a recipient of a 2021 National Award from the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Using a strategy of careful repair and confident addition, Hoskins Architects have refurbished and extended a fine existing building. The result is a civic space fit for today’s visitors – one is which is now more welcoming, more sustainable, and more accessible. The redevelopment demonstrates how contemporary architecture, historic building conservation and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

The special character and grandeur of the 19th century category A listed building has been preserved, and a dramatic copper-clad roof is among a series of striking contemporary interventions that have revitalised the gallery and its relationship with the city.

The architects have subtly and sensitively restored original features of the 19th century building and improved fabric performance, alongside confident alteration and the bold addition of new elements that enhance the visitor experience, knitting together a thread of careful conservation and the requirements of a world class, 21st century gallery. They created new exhibition and education spaces, thoroughly upgraded the building’s services and environmental performance, and improved the gallery’s art handling, storage, back of house and study facilities.

The annual Doolan Award is assessed by an expert jury who look at each project’s architectural integrity, usability and context, delivery and execution, and sustainability. All types of building are eligible for the award, which is named in memory of its founder and patron, the architect/developer Andy Doolan, who died in 2004.

The architects of the winning building receive a £10,000 cash prize, making the Doolan Award one of the most significant architecture awards in the world. The award would not exist without Andy Doolan’s extraordinary generosity and vision, and his family have kindly continued their support. The Scottish Government also generously supports the award.

Councillor Marie Boulton, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesperson said: “On behalf of the citizens of Aberdeen I’m incredibly proud that Aberdeen Art Gallery has been named as Scotland’s building of the year. The redevelopment project has completely re-imagined and revitalised one of the city’s most important buildings. It has created a welcoming, accessible, safe and inspiring space for all of us to enjoy, whether we live in Aberdeen or we’re visiting the city. I hope that news of this important award will encourage people who may not have visited for some time to re-discover the Art Gallery, or to visit it for the first time and experience for themselves this spectacular building and the outstanding collection it’s home to.”

Caroline Clark, National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, said: “It’s wonderful news that the transformation of Aberdeen Art Gallery, which was supported by National Lottery players, has won this highly prestigious architectural award. It is a well-deserved endorsement of this ambitious project which reimagined and reinvented the Gallery’s historic buildings to revitalise this major cultural attraction.”

Speaking on behalf of the Doolan family, Andrew Doolan’s nephew Ross Findlay said: “Before her passing in 2020, Andrew’s mother Margaret Doolan held her son’s legacy and achievements in high esteem. She took great pleasure in continuing his vision and support of the RIAS. As such, our family is proud to help to promote Scottish architecture at home and abroad and celebrate the creativity, innovation and ingenuity this breeds – exactly the vision that Andrew had when he set out his plans for this award over 20 years ago.

“This year presented a very competitive list of finalists so we are happy to congratulate Hoskins Architects and the Aberdeen Art Gallery on their deserving win.

“Having sponsored this event since 2004, we have seen the award go to many different buildings designed for different purposes and it is great to celebrate a civic building being given a new lease of life that will serve the public for future generations – a very fitting project for the intended ethos of the award.”

First Minister addresses AAM annual conference

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The First Minister today contrasted the Scottish Government’s “Welcome in Scotland” approach with the approach being taken by the UK government.

Nicola Sturgeon set out her determination to keep Scotland in the Single Market even if the rest of the UK leaves, following the Brexit vote.

The First Minister addressed 200 investors at Aberdeen Asset Management’s annual investment conference in London on the themes of growth, empowerment, and the importance of investing in an inclusive economy.

Ms Sturgeon said:

“Scotland voted very strongly to remain in the European Union – by 62% to 38%. Every local authority area in Scotland voted to retain EU membership.

“It is my job, and the job of the whole Scottish Government, to protect our vital national interests. We are currently exploring all options that will enable us to do that.

“More than anything else our long-term economic success will depend on nurturing the talent of those already in Scotland and of those who believe ours is the kind of welcoming country that allows ambition to flourish.

“That’s why I am so personally committed to reducing the attainment gap in Scotland’s schools. Education and skills will always be at the heart of how individuals’ fulfil their potential.

“We also believe freedom of movement helps to enhance and enrich our country. It creates opportunity for those born here and for those who move here.

“The position of the UK Government and some others is very different. From the refusal to guarantee the status of fellow EU nationals living in Scotland and the UK, to the threat to draw up lists of foreign workers, the UK Government seems intent on sending out a “not welcome here” message.

“I am determined that we send out a different message: one that says to all those living, working and studying in Scotland that they are most definitely welcome.

“We want to trade as freely as possible with our EU partners; to continue to welcome people from across the EU and around the world; to maintain ties which have enhanced our prosperity and enriched our society.

“And we want to ensure that Scotland remains an open, internationalist country. Our relationship with Europe has become part of Scotland’s sense of itself. So we will argue for an approach to Brexit which retains as much of that relationship as possible.”

You can read the whole speech here. 

The future of mountain weather forecasts in doubt

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Guarantees over the future of Scotland’s mountain weather forecasts were sought in the Scottish Parliament today (13 Sept) by Green MSP, Andy Wightman.

Reports emerged over the weekend suggesting that SportScotland is to end funding of the Mountain Weather Information Service.

In spite of repeatedly asking the Minister for Public Health and Sport if SportScotland had told the Mountain Weather Information Service at a meeting on July 2016 that its funding would end, Ms Campbell was unable to provide an answer.

Andy Wightman MSP, the Scottish Greens’ Housing & Land reform spokesperson, said:

“I’m glad that the Minister shares my view that the forecast service is an essential service for climber and walker safety in Scotland and that conversations with the government and its agencies are ongoing. However, the public will be looking for more transparency over what the current funding set up is and how that has been communicated to the MWIS. I’ll continue to seek updates from the minister to guarantee the long-term future of mountain weather-forecasting.

“This is a service that has provided trusted detailed forecasting for mountain users for 13 years and SportScotland has funded it since 2007. It’s a service that is trusted and relied upon by hundreds of thousands of users of Scotland’s mountains every year and safety and enjoyment of those who use our mountains is dependent upon accurate reliable, and above all trusted sources of weather forecasts.”

Could tonight’s Lotto winner come from Aberdeen?

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As the whole of the UK awaits a winner of monumental proportions this evening, you have to wonder if lightning will strike twice in the Granite City.

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Although the National Lottery website has crumbled under the weight of traffic, they have been tweeting like mad to encourage more people to enter.

Camelot UK Lotteries Limited, operator of The National Lottery, is announced in December that the £276,669.50 prize from the EuroMillions draw on 20 November 2015 – which had previously remained outstanding in Aberdeen – had been claimed.

Earlier last year an Aberdeenshire winner was announced. One lucky person scooped the £121,729.20 prize from the EuroMillions draw on 17 July, 2015 – which had previously remained outstanding.

Unless the winner of a major National Lottery prize opts to take full publicity and signs an agreement to that effect, no further information can be released about their win.

A National Lottery spokesperson said: “We’re delighted that the winner of this amazing prize has now come forward and we hope that they will enjoy their win. It would have been awful if the ticket-holder had missed out on this substantial and life-changing amount of money. We would like to remind all National Lottery players to check their tickets every time they play.”

Ardoe House has been done up

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Mercure Aberdeen Ardoe House Hotel & Spa, a country retreat set in 30 acres of peaceful Aberdeenshire countryside, has been beautifully transformed into a Mercure flagship property following an extensive refurbishment of its bedrooms to accompany the grand public areas and spa facilities.

Built in 1887 in the Scottish Baronial style and fashioned on Balmoral Castle, just 50 miles away, Ardoe House Hotel’s bedrooms have been lovingly redesigned, bringing Aberdeenshire’s past and present to life. A locally inspired brand, Mercure worked with interior designer Frances Blackham at Trevellion Interiors. The refurbishment has seen new furnishings, textures and patterns incorporated into the property, capturing the cosmopolitan feel of Aberdeen, just five miles away.

All of the refurbished classic doubles and privilege rooms offer modern luxuries and a home-from-home experience, along with a dash of Scottish charm. Emblematic of the Highlands but with a modern twist, a plaid fabric in a shade of terracotta now adorns the bedroom chairs, while a montage of black and white architectural photography features on the headboards, showcasing 100 years of Ardoe House history.

The bedroom walls include a new array of monochromatic images, featuring the property itself. Graceful, neutral, stone coloured tones flow throughout the rooms and coordinate with beautiful walnut furniture. Each bedroom is equipped with a TV with international satellite channels, 24-hour room service and free Wi-Fi access, which is available throughout the hotel.

During their stay guests will experience the juxtaposition of both new and old styles. The property’s original features were completed by local craftsmanship and include striking stonework and beautifully crafted wood paneling, elaborate plinths, stained glass windows and paneled doors with intricate metalwork. In reception sits an exquisite mosaic floor and extraordinary latticed ceiling. All compliment the modern design additions that have been made to the bedrooms.

Visitors have the option to dine at sophisticated Blairs Restaurant or informal Soapie’s Lounge Bar. With its farm to fork ethos, Blairs Restaurant offers an array of innovative culinary creations, pushing the boundaries of modern cuisine with innovate and exciting dishes. Guests can sample the signature dish of seared scallops from Isle of Skye, served with chamomile jelly, locally grown celeriac and grated coffee beans. There are also two classic cocktails with an Ardoe twist – a Smokey Papa Don cocktail with tequila, marmalade/chili syrup, lemon and grapefruit juice, and Lagavulin, along with the Grey Flannel cocktail containing Hendricks gin, mandarin marmalade, Earl Grey tea and lemongrass.

 

Alongside is Soapie’s Lounge Bar that serves homely dishes, inspired by locally sourced ingredients. The lounge is the ideal place to enjoy an informal lunch or dinner in front of an open fire. Guests can also enjoy a tipple in the Drawing Room or Laird’s Bar, with its impressive selection of malt whiskies.

 

Guests will be encouraged to pick from the ‘Flavours of the Cellar’ wine list, which includes three handpicked wines available across the Mercure Hotels in the UK, carefully selected by the BBC Saturday Kitchen Masters of Wine, Susie Barrie and Peter Richards.

 

Jonathan Sheard, SVP Operations Luxury, Upscale & Midscale Hotels, Accor UK & Ireland said: “We are delighted with the new look and feel of the bedrooms at Mercure Aberdeen Ardoe House Hotel & Spa and how they really lift the hotel and create a full beautiful experience in this unique building for all our guests. True to the Mercure, the design reflects the brand’s commitment to strong local connections and we hope that people visit to see everything that Aberdeen and the region has to offer.”

Peter Sangster, General Manager of the Mercure Aberdeen Ardoe House Hotel and Spa said: “I’m thrilled to welcome both new and returning guests to the stunningly refurbished, historic property. The new look captures the spirit of Aberdeen, while offering unbeatable style and comfort.”

  • 120 bedrooms including classic doubles, privilege rooms and feature double rooms
  • Prices start from £94 per room, per night
  • Two restaurants – Blairs Restaurant and Soapie’s Lounge Bar
  • Two bars – Drawing Room and Laird’s Bar
  • Leisure facilities – spa, indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and fitness suite
  • Nine function rooms ideal for gala dinners, weddings and conferences for up to 450 people
  • Five miles from the city of Aberdeen and seven miles from Aberdeen airport

 

www.mercure.com

 

Energy Taskforce coming to Aberdeen this week

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The Taskforce established by the First Minister to support jobs in the energy sector will meet for the first time in Aberdeen next Wednesday.

The new Energy Jobs Taskforce, chaired by Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive Lena Wilson, will report to the Scottish Energy Advisory Board and will focus on jobs across the entire industry, but with an initial emphasis on the oil and gas sector.

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Lena Wilson, chair of the Energy Taskforce, said:

“We’ve made quick progress in forming this Taskforce which represents a strong and united public and private sector partnership that is committed to working together to support this vital industry throughout these challenging times. While current circumstances are difficult, we also need to remember that this is a resilient industry – one which has weathered the storm before and will do so again.

“We have an urgent and immediate task at hand to retain the jobs, skills and talent which is the bedrock of Scotland’s internationally competitive energy sector. The depth of knowledge and expertise this newly formed Taskforce offers will undoubtedly make an invaluable contribution to that task and help shape support to meet the current and future need for our energy sector.”

Ahead of the group’s first meeting, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said:

“I am acutely aware from the numerous meetings and discussions I have had with a range of companies, industry figures and unions, that the sector is currently facing extremely challenging times.

“This Taskforce, chaired by Lena Wilson, is an important step to ensure that energy jobs are sustained and supported through this difficult period, and is yet another demonstration from the Scottish Government that the industry has our full support.

“Since oil was discovered more than four decades ago, we have built a world class industrial cluster in the north sea and now export the skills and services required to support it around the world.

“There is a real risk that the current fall in the oil price will lead to the premature decommissioning of assets and the loss of highly skilled workers. Within this context, I think it is vital that the UK Government acts now.

“The North Sea has made an enormous contribution to the Scottish and UK economies over the last 40 years. It is now vital, in order to prolong the life of the industry beyond 2050 and maximise economic benefits, that the UK Government maintains the momentum for fiscal and regulatory change in the oil and gas sector.

“Chief among the action required is an immediate reversal of the 2011 hike in the Supplementary Charge and I made it clear that it is not sufficient for this change to wait until the March budget as Alistair Carmichael suggested last week.

“Last year, the UK Government announced a 2 per cent reduction of the Supplementary Charge rate – this reduction doesn’t go far enough. In boardrooms worldwide, oil companies are now making decisions which will impact on jobs in Scotland. Investors need a strong signal that the North Sea is open for business and that the UK Government understand the needs of the industry – and they need that signal now.”

Government calls for exploration support

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TER-Holyrood-from-Arthurs-Seat The Scottish Government is calling for change in taxes as a way of supporting the North Sea Oil industry at a point where oil prices dropped to $50 a barrel on Friday and petrol prices at the pump are heading constantly downwards.

Fergus Ewing Energy Minister has said that urgent reform of the oil and gas taxation regime is necessary in order to support investment, encourage exploration and ensure that the North Sea is a competitive investment location. The new Scottish Government Oil and Gas Discussion Paper – Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Policy sets out clear proposals for fiscal change, including a call for the introduction of an exploration tax credit by the March 2015 Budget. The call comes ahead of a visit by the First Minister to Aberdeen this week to hold talks with industry figures. While all of the measures outlined in the Scottish Government paper, such as a reduction in the headline rate of tax and introduction of an investment allowance, will increase the attractiveness of North Sea exploration projects and enhance the competitiveness of the sector. The exploration tax credit has the potential to substantially and rapidly boost exploration activity. Speaking ahead of a trip to London to promote investment in Scotland’s energy sector Mr Ewing said: “Exploration rates in the North Sea are at historically low levels. If action is not taken, this will reduce the number of new discoveries, and in turn future production. While this is not simply a fiscal issue, urgent fiscal stimulus is required to improve the exploration outlook. “In 2013, Oil and Gas UK reported that around 25 per cent of exploration wells were drilled by small to medium sized companies. However, the tax arrangements currently in place do not provide support to new entrants or smaller companies who generally do not have sufficient taxable profits against which to offset their exploration expenditure and in many cases can face constraints in their access to finance. “The fiscal regime remains the single largest barrier that is holding back exploration activity. A cashable tax credit should be available for exploration activity, as it will encourage further activity by many exploration companies who are currently cannot access tax relief available to incumbent companies. “The measure has had a significant effect in Norway, which saw a substantial increase in exploration activity by both incumbent companies and new entrants. In Norway, exploration drilling was in a gradual decline before 2005, however following the introduction of the tax credit in 2005 the number of exploration wells increased fourfold over the next 3 years. As a result, in recent years Norway has seen major discoveries such as Johan Sverdrup field and the Johan Castberg field. “We will continue to call on the UK Government to maintain the momentum for fiscal and regulatory change in the oil and gas sector, both of which also were recognised by Sir Ian Wood as, critical to prolonging the life of the industry beyond 2050 and maximising the total value generated in the economy.”

University of Aberdeen announces major investment in Energy Excellence

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Plans for a new £100 million centre of excellence in research, innovation and teaching to help safeguard society’s energy needs were announced yesterday  by the University of Aberdeen. Details of a public meeting when you can see the plans are at the end of this article.

The 19,000m2 purpose-built Energy Building will contain world class, sustainable facilities to build on the University’s and Aberdeen’s reputation for ground-breaking research and innovation, and create a modern, engaging learning environment for students.

Maximising economic recovery of existing fossil fuels, carbon capture and storage, renewable energy and energy economics are just a handful of areas of research to be carried out in the new facility, whilst retaining a dedication to fundamental research.

The Energy Building represents the latest phase of the University’s half a billion pound campus investment plan which has already provided funding for the Sir Duncan Rice Library, the Suttie Centre and the Aberdeen Aquatics Centre.

The new facility will increase opportunity for industry engagement, collaboration and professional development programmes through the Aberdeen Institute of Energy – the University’s single point of contact for all its energy activities.

An ‘Open Lab’ outreach policy will help demystify science for youngsters, and provide a source of inspiration and encouragement for the next generation of scientists with particular focus on attracting girls into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects.

The flexible space will also serve as a venue to host events, functions and exhibitions for the local community, industry and others.

“The University of Aberdeen has a long and proud international reputation for world class research and innovation in energy and science,” said Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University. “Such ground-breaking research requires cutting edge facilities, an environment that encourages cross-collaboration in different disciplines, and a ‘shop front’ suitable for welcoming visits from industry sponsors and other stakeholders.

“The new Energy Building seeks to meet these needs, providing state-of-the-art facilities, and much required capacity, to enhance greatly our research, teaching, collaboration and outreach activities. This building will provide world class facilities for our academics, students and industry partners, as well as a new home for the Aberdeen Institute of Energy; consolidating our position as a global energy university.”

This building will provide world class facilities for our academics, students and industry partners, as well as a new home for the Aberdeen Institute of Energy; consolidating our position as a global energy university.”

The Energy Building will intensify the University’s existing partnerships with industry though the delivery of undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing professional development (CPD) teaching to support the employment needs of industry, the provision of innovation space, and the conduct of fundamental and applied research.

A significant part of the new building will be dedicated to the University’s Fluid Dynamics department, which is already ranked alongside a handful of the best facilities of its kind in the world – studying fundamental science which can also be applied to biofarm design and pipeline stability, among many other areas. The new laboratory will be significantly larger than the existing facility and could see the University join an elite class of institutions that boast facilities where scientists can record ‘benchmark data’.

Today’s announcement was welcomed by the leading trade association for the United Kingdom offshore oil and gas industry, Oil & Gas UK.

Alix Thom, Oil & Gas UK’s Employment and Skills Issues Manager, said: “We welcome the announcement of an ambitious new building that will bring together scientists involved in research into oil and gas exploration and enhanced oil production. We are also pleased to see an initiative that encourages the next generation, particularly girls, into science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

The building will not just benefit the researchers and students of today, but also the next generation of bright young minds, and the community as a whole. The Energy Building will feature more space to continue and build upon the wide range of successful outreach programmes already offered, such as the successful science open weekends, and the S6@Uni scheme.

The building’s planned location is close to the Sir Duncan Rice Library, on the site at the corner of St Machar Roundabout and Bedford Road.

It is proposed that its construction will be followed by the planned demolition of the Meston Building on the corner of Meston Walk and Elphinstone Road.

Members of the public are invited to hear more about the University’s vision at a Public Meeting on the first floor of The Hub on the corner of Elphinstone Road and St Machar Drive on Wednesday 10 December 2014 between 6.30pm – 7.30pm.

Flybe reopening Aberdeen base next year

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Chief Commercial Officer of Flybe, Paul Simmons was at Bute House this morning to announce his good news along with the First Minister’s news about falling unemployment numbers in Scotland.

The airline which had to close down its operations has now found a way to increase routes from Scotland to London City and other regional airports in England. This means that four Bombardier Q400 aircraft will be based in Aberdeen to serve these routes.  The fourth aircraft will be used for a further shuttle route but they are keeping the details of that under wraps right now. It will be a UK route but the base allows the airline to connect to Scandinavia and other destinations.

Simmons was keen to point out that Flybe is now back in the black financially: “I am pleased to report that the success of the actions we were forced to take to return the airline to profitability and stimulate demand has brought us to the point where it now makes commercial sense to re-open our Aberdeen base. It is a testament to a year of recovery, turnaround and the ultimate re-birth of our airline.

“We are really delighted to be able to do this. It is good for the economy and good for Flybe. This is a long term venture for us and a strong new beginning. We are firmly wedded to Aberdeen and the rest of Scotland.”

The First Minister said: “I launched the new Flybe flight to London City last month with the Spirit of Aberdeen aircraft. These new aircraft have increased capacity as well as flying faster and the airline has already increased the number of flights from two to three. The reopening of Flybe’s Aberdeen base will mean 100 direct jobs for Aberdeen and it is extemely good news for Scottish connectivity to London. It establishes Flybe as Scotland’s main aviation partner. As a North Eastern MSP I welcome the news.”

As far as Air Passenger Duty is concerned the First Minister said that we want to have as much connectivity to London as possible, but that all of this would be assisted by devolution of APD which remains one of the Scottish Government’s main objectives.  The First Minister asserted that this would help relieve the congestion in the south east of England too.

Flybe reported strong results to the Stock Market this morning prior to the announcement.