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SCOTS are taking more long-haul sunshine flights than ever before, new figures revealed today.
Glasgow Airport said passenger numbers soared almost 20% on flights to destinations outside Europe over the past year.
And the biggest jump in travel was to the exotic beach resorts of the Dominican Republic, up 50%, and Mexico, up 41%.
Glasgow Airport has long been Scotland's long-haul gateway and has secured new flights to the US, the Middle East and Pakistan in recent years.
Overall, 775,916 passengers flew into and out of the airport on direct long-haul flights in the 12 months to October 2005 -19.6% more than a year earlier.
Stephen Baxter, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: "The rise in long-haul travel has been one of the key highlights of the past year.
"North America has always been one of our strongest long-haul markets but in the past year we've seen a shift to other, some might say, more exotic parts of the world as passengers become more adventurous."
Dubai is typical of a sunshine destination that has taken Scotland by storm.
The city, in the United Arab Emirates, has year-round sunshine, some of the world's top hotels and vital business links.
Dubai was the most popular long-haul destination from Glasgow last year, with 163,000 passengers.
Many travellers to Dubai caught connections to other cities across Asia and Australasia.
Glasgow's daily Dubai service was pioneered by Emirates, which has now introduced a bigger jet on the route.
And Pakistan International Airlines will launch direct flights to the Gulf city next month.
Despite worries about recent terrorist strikes, Egypt was one of the fastest growing long-haul destinations for Scots holidaymakers.
New flights to the Egyptian resorts of Sharm el Sheik and Hurghada attracted more than 20,000 passengers. Passenger numbers on flights to Tunisia were up by 5%.
Airport bosses hope the continued popularity of long-haul flights will lure other major operators to Scotland.
TIMESFILE: The top 10 long haul destinations from Glasgow
1.....Dubai
2....Toronto
3....New York
4....Florida
5....Chicago
6....Vancouver
7.....Philadelphia
8....Monastir, Tunisia
9....Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
10..Cancun, Mexico
Publication date 15/11/05
SCOTS are taking more long-haul sunshine flights than ever before, new figures revealed today.
Glasgow Airport said passenger numbers soared almost 20% on flights to destinations outside Europe over the past year.
And the biggest jump in travel was to the exotic beach resorts of the Dominican Republic, up 50%, and Mexico, up 41%.
Glasgow Airport has long been Scotland's long-haul gateway and has secured new flights to the US, the Middle East and Pakistan in recent years.
Overall, 775,916 passengers flew into and out of the airport on direct long-haul flights in the 12 months to October 2005 -19.6% more than a year earlier.
Stephen Baxter, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: "The rise in long-haul travel has been one of the key highlights of the past year.
"North America has always been one of our strongest long-haul markets but in the past year we've seen a shift to other, some might say, more exotic parts of the world as passengers become more adventurous."
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