AIRPORT bosses today welcomed a long-term commit-ment to Glasgow by one of the world's top airlines.

Emirates has been flying in and out of the city for the last 10 years and has now revealed it has no immediate plans to launch services out of Edinburgh.

The Evening Times told how the commit-ment was given by the airline's regional sales manager Denise Holmes when she addressed business leaders at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Common-wealth Games Warm Up Breakfast meeting.

She revealed how the Dubai-based airline considered both cities when deciding to launch a Scottish base and chose the west coast hub.

"Glasgow was the right decision," said Ms Holmes.

The business comm-unity was told the airline planned to expand in Glasgow and had no plan to operate services at Edinburgh, even though the capital has attracted rivals Qatar and Etihad.

Airport chiefs in Glasgow have welcomed the commitment.

A spokesman said: "Since its arrival in 2004, Emirates has been one of Glasgow Airport's biggest success stories.

"During this time it has carried more than 2.6 million passengers on its Glasgow to Dubai service, carried more than 50million kilos of cargo and established itself as Scotland's leading long-haul airline.

"We are extremely proud of our long-standing partnership with Emirates which created aviation history earlier this year when it became the first airline to bring the world's larg-est commercial aircraft, the A380, to Scotland.

"The recent opening of its first and business class lounge in what is Emirates' 10th anniver-sary year will enhance the already excellent service it provides to its Scottish passengers."

Emirates is noted for a series of firsts. It was the first to launch direct flights between Scotland and the Middle East, the first to fly a Boeing 777 from Scotland and the first to introduce a first- class service out of the country when it launched two daily flights from Glasgow.

The airline is also an official partner of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and was the official airline of the Queen's Baton Relay.

It also sponsors the new multi-million pound sports complex at Dalmarnock, which led to it being renamed the Emirates Arena.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk