HOLIDAY bosses are taking a gamble today as they announce the first ever weekly summer flights between Glasgow and Las Vegas.

The service, which will link the westcoast hub with the world's most famous gambling city, will launch in a year's time, with regular flights every Monday between May 4 and October 31.

Thomas Cook Airlines are already selling flight-only tickets from £499, while sister company Airtours is offering seven nights in "Sin City" at a three star hotel from £815.

It's literally a new departure for Thomas Cook. The holiday giant has previously only laid on a series of one-off flights between Glasgow and the Nevada resort.

Christoph Debus, chief executive of Thomas Cook Airlines, said: "It's fantastic news that we are able to start a regular flight to Las Vegas next summer.

"It's great news for holidaymakers too that they now have even more choice when looking for long-haul flights from Glasgow to this popular destination."

Francois Bourienne, commercial director at Glasgow Airport, reckons the decision by the holiday giant will reinforce the hub's status as Scotland's top long-haul airport.

He said: "Las Vegas attracts tens of millions of visitors every year and this will be the first time Scotland will have had a regular service to what is referred to as the entertainment capital of the world.

"Not only is Thomas Cook's decision to introduce a weekly service to Las Vegas for the 2015 summer season excellent news for Glasgow, it further strengthens our already extensive long-haul offering."

Airline chiefs also made it a double celebration by announcing the introduction of a third weekly flight from Glasgow to Tunisia next summer.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk