Bob Buntin (Letters, June 23) is, of course, quite right to correct my wrong assertion that Northwest Airlines initiated an application to fly to the US from Glasgow (rather than Prestwick) and that this was opposed by the BAA (it was in fact the Department of Transport).

But it is true that at least one airline, Air 2000, operating charter flights to Florida, was required to land at Prestwick, shortly after taking off from Glasgow (and vice-versa in the other direction); the airline claimed it added £4000 to the cost of a flight (at 1989 prices), in addition to a longer journey time.

Indeed, it was a legal challenge by Air 2000 that led to a change of government policy and effectively ended the Prestwick monopoly, something which, as Mr Buntin says, Northwest took advantage of by quickly switching to Glasgow and operating the first scheduled transatlantic flight from that airport.

Sometime later "open skies" was also enlarged to include Edinburgh, which should have been the end of the matter, with customer-preference being the deciding factor as to which airport Scots leisure and business passengers wished to fly from. Now, after a long period of political non-interference during which Edinburgh and Glasgow have expanded greatly, another government (Scottish this time) has stepped in with its "loan" to keep Prestwick operational, thus skewing the market and reviving the bad old days of local in-fighting over an issue we believed had been settled a quarter of a century ago.

K Houston,

93 George Street, Edinburgh.

Andrew Heatlie draws attention to the lack of an effective transport link between Glasgow Airport and the city centre (Letters, June 24). I understand that there is some spare track and a surplus of rolling stock lying in a shed at the other end of the M8. Perhaps the contractor which built the Airdrie to Bathgate rail link without any apparent problems could be commissioned to use these surplus assets at Glasgow Airport?

Sandy Gemmill, 40 Warriston Gardens, Edinburgh.

Andrew Heatlie shows umbrage at the lack of rail connection to Glasgow Airport. When will Glaswegians realise that there is an excellent bus service from Buchanan Street?

While a rail link might benefit those who live in the city, it would be of little use to those who live to the north or east. Most people that I know who use Glasgow Airport use the bus service, drive and park there or are driven to and dropped off at the airport. Until the need to trundle between rail stations carrying luggage is removed, those from outwith the city are unlikely to use an airport rail link even if it was built.

Far from discriminating against Glasgow, it would seem that the Scottish Government realised the proposed rail link would be of little benefit to the rest of Scotland.

Take the bus; it's more convenient.

Drew Reid,

31, Bruce Crescent,

Carronshore,

Falkirk.