LOW-COST Canadian carrier WestJet is to launch its first UK route with direct, daily flights between Glasgow Airport and Halifax from next year.

The service will launch next summer and is the airline's second transatlantic venture. In June it launched a daily summer service between Dublin and Newfoundland, but Glasgow will be its only other European destination.

The inaugural non-stop flight to Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, will depart from Glasgow on May 30 and will fly daily until October 24. Seats go on sale today, with prices starting about £170 one-way, including taxes.

Journey time to Halifax is five hours 15 minutes and will be operated by a 136-seat Boeing 737-700.

Passengers will be able to connect to Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and 16 other cities in WestJet's Canadian network.

The airline also operates flights to destinations across mainland America, as well as to Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean.

The launch will boost Glasgow Airport's status as Scotland's leading long-haul airport, currently serving 15 destinations in North America, Mexico, the Caribbean and the Middle East.

In addition, 60 per cent of passengers flying from Glasgow to Reykjavik with Icelandair connect to North America.

In recognition of the strong cultural and historic ties between Scotland and Nova Scotia the inaugural flight will be numbered WS30, in reference to St Andrew's Day.

Mike Cantlay, chairman of ­tourism agency VisitScotland, said: "Canada and Nova Scotia, in particular, represent an exciting diaspora stronghold and a fantastic opportunity for Scottish tourism.

"Some 4.7 million Canadians have Scottish ancestry, with 24 per cent of them wanting to visit Scotland in search of those roots.

"The new WestJet route presents a sizeable opportunity to tap into an ancestral market worth up to £450 million over the next five years."

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said it was fantastic news. She added: "WestJet is an ambitious airline with an extensive route network and we are delighted it has chosen Glasgow as its first UK destination.

"Scotland has always enjoyed a close relationship with Canada and the daily service to Halifax will provide our customers with greater choice and also further strengthen our long haul connectivity."

Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "Our two countries have close cultural and historic ties and this new service will help strengthen these important bonds.

"I outlined the benefits of ­establishing routes like this when I met representatives of Halifax Stanfield International Airport during my visit to Canada last year and I am sure it will prove popular and successful."

Mr Brown said even more direct flights would come to Scotland if Westminster devolved control over Air Passenger Duty, which the Scottish Government is keen to axe.

Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "There will undoubtedly be strong demand for this service, which has huge potential to deliver significant inbound leisure tourism.

"Canada is Glasgow's second largest international market, with 37,000 trips made each year by Canadian visitors who generate £12m for the city's economy."