EASYJET is expanding services from Scotland by introducing a route between Edinburgh and Birmingham, writes Scott Wright.

The new connection, which starts on March 29, was announced just weeks after the airline pledged to create 50 jobs at Glasgow Airport by adding a fifth aircraft to its base at the hub. That aircraft will mainly be used to serve a new route between Glasgow and Birmingham, which also launches on March 29.

The Edinburgh to Birmingham flight will operate 13 weeks per year, with easyJet forecasting that more than 180,000 passengers during the first 12 months. The airline will run the flights using its fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, eight of which are based at Edinburgh.

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK country manager, said growing demand from business and leisure travellers had prompted the company to add the new Edinburgh to Birmingham route.

While Edinburgh has long held a cachet among tourists, Ms Gayward noted that the popularity of attractions such as events at the NEC and the National Motor Cycle Museum have dramatically boosted the appeal of the Midlands city in recent years.

“Birmingham as a city has been transformed in the last few years out of all recognition,” she said. “There is going to be a lot of leisure travel on the route too.”