A new direct flight between Edinburgh and Qatar will begin next spring, connecting the capital with the Middle East for the first time.

Qatar Airways will operate the service to capital city Doha five times a week from May 28 onwards as Scotland prepares to host the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup.

Doha is a hub airport in the Middle East, with connections on to Asia and Australia.

Transport minister Keith Brown said: "This new direct service is excellent news for Scotland's aviation sector and provides yet more evidence of the strong bonds we are building with Qatar.

"The Scottish Government has worked hard to foster links with the Gulf States, promoting Scotland as a market leader in oil and gas and a great place to do business.

"Direct services make Scotland a more attractive destination for both tourists and businesses by removing the need for extra connecting flights. This not only helps the economy by boosting tourism but also encourages overseas trade and investment."

Currently, people wanting to travel directly to the Middle East from Scotland have to go to Glasgow Airport.

The announcement of the new route was made by bosses at Edinburgh Airport, who said it would link Scotland with more than 120 destinations worldwide.

It will also be the first scheduled service out of Scotland of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar said he was "ecstatic" about the news.

"We've been promising our friends and partners across the city and the country a Middle Eastern route for a number of years now," he said.

"This announcement today is the result of real understanding and collaboration. I hope that it can continue as I think that it gives our country a real advantage when talking to airlines and making the case for Scotland."

The announcement comes two days after it was announced a new non-stop flight between Edinburgh and Philadelphia will be launched next year.

The scheduled service will be operated daily by US Airways between May and October.