GLASGOW Airport today hit back at its rivals by pledging more flights to more destinations to keep hold of its coveted crown as Scotland's long-haul capital.

The promise was made after airport chiefs in Edinburgh said they plan to offer £15 million of discounted landing charges annually to try to attract new routes.

It's a ploy already used by every UK airport, including Glasgow, which can see some airlines bank £1m a year in savings by securing discounts of up to 50%.

More than seven major carriers operate out of the airport, which handles around a million long haul passengers every year.

One success story is Emirates.

Its Glasgow-Dubai service has proved a hit with both business and leisure travellers.

Laurie Berryman, Emirates UK Vice President, said: "The Glasgow service has gone from strength to strength. We launched a second daily non-stop flight to Dubai last June to compliment the popular morning flight."

"Both consumers and businesses have taken particularly well to the second service, especially with long-haul flights to the Far East, Australia and New Zealand."

A Glasgow Airport spokesman said: "We have enjoyed tremendous success in recent years in growing passenger numbers and adding new routes and services.

"We will continue to expand our route network by promoting the inbound tourism potential of Glasgow.".

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk