SCOTS shoppers will be able to bag Christmas bargains in the Big Apple after airline bosses confirmed their third annual flight from Glasgow to New York.

And in a double boost, weekly charter flights between Malta and Glasgow are set to take off in the summer.

Airlline chiefs at Jet2.com and sister firm Jet2holidays are linking up for the third consecutive year to offer a pre-Christmas flight from Glasgow to New York.

Return tickets have gone on sale and cost from £439, while packages combining flights and accommodation for the three-night stay Stateside are priced from £699.

The outbound flight leaves Glasgow on Thursday, November 14, and jets back to Scotland on Sunday, November 17.

Jet2 chief Steve Heapy said: "We are thrilled to offer customers the chance to jet off to New York again this year.

"Our great value flights and package breaks are always extremely popular so much so that we have put New York on sale even earlier this year.

"This way our customers have more time to plan and budget for their trip so they don't miss out on the glamour and buzz of this thriving city with plenty of dollars left to spend on all the must-see and do activities New York has to offer in the run up to Christmas."

Glasgow Airport's managing director Amanda McMillan, said: "This is yet another example of the airline responding to passenger demand and follows its recent decision to expand operations with the addition of a fourth, Glasgow-based aircraft."

And Air Malta is promising Scots sun worshippers a sizzling summer with the introduction of weekly charter flights to the island from Glasgow between May and October.

It is Malta's main carrier and tourists will be flown in and out of the country's only airport, near the capital, Valletta.

The airline's chief commercial officer, Philip Saunders, said: "Our strategy is to become the market leader for flights to Malta and our summer charter operation from Glasgow Airport allows us to cater for Scottish holidaymakers during the busiest months."

Francois Bourienne, commercial director at Glasgow Airport, said: "The arrival of Malta's flag carrier this summer is yet another welcome boost as we look to add new routes and capacity to meet demand from Scottish holidaymakers."

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk