It's green for go as extra flight laid on for Celtic fans

Wednesday 5 September 2012

It's green for go as extra flight laid on for Celtic fans

Gordon Thomson

Reporter

A BUDGET airline is laying on an extra flight for Celtic's glamour Champions League clash with Barcelona.

Celtic fans are looking forward to visiting the Camp Nou again

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EXCLUSIVE By GORDON THOMSON

Jet2.com expects to sell every available ticket before the end of the week.

The Boeing 737-300 has enough seats for almost 150 supporters.

Tickets went on sale today after airline bosses decided to lay on a football special for the Barcelona v Celtic Group G game on Tuesday, October 23.

Hoops fans will jet out of Glasgow Airport at 7.30am – just over 12 hours before kick-off in the Camp Nou Stadium – before flying back from the Spanish city at 2pm the next day.

Thousands of Celtic supporters are set to head to Spain by air and supporters' buses to watch the tie, which will see their club up against the four-times European champions, who have star players such as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez.

Jet2.com normally operates three flights a week to Barcelona from Glasgow Airport, but has decided to lay on an extra service.

Steve Heapy, the company's chief commercial officer, said: "We are delighted to be able to help Celtic fans get to Barcelona.

"With our flight times, supporters also have plenty of time to chill out on the beach or take in some of the city's most iconic attractions."

Celtic will also play the Russian side Spartak Moscow and Benfica, of Portugal, in their group draw.

Glasgow's hospitality sector is expecting to cash in with the home matches.

Last week the Evening Times told how the city's hotels, pubs, restaurants and shops will be given a massive boost when thousands of visiting fans come to Glasgow to watch their teams take on Celtic at Parkhead.

City marketing boss Scott Taylor said: "This is a welcome boost for local businesses because they have a chance to showcase what they can offer.

"Our research shows that more than 500 extra hotel rooms are taken up when Celtic play a Champions League home match.

"The warm welcome of local people and the vibrancy of the city will encourage return visits and spread the word from spectators of how fantastic a city Glasgow is to their families and friends back home, as well as to millions watching the matches on TV."

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk

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