 Newark Airport is about 12 miles from New York City |
A new transatlantic air link between Edinburgh and New York flew has been launched. Continental Airlines, which is running the daily service, already flies from Glasgow to the Big Apple.
Money from the Scottish Executive's Route Development Fund is being used on the service, the first time it has invested in an intercontinental route.
The Edinburgh-Newark service was first announced in September last year by First Minister Jack McConnell.
The inbound flight departs New York at 2045 local time and arrives in Edinburgh at 0830 GMT the following day.
The outbound leg leaves the Scottish capital at 1000 GMT and arrives in the US at 1230 local time.
The route development fund receives:
- �5m from the Scottish Executive
- �1m from Scottish Enterprise
- �500,000 from the Integrated Transport Fund
- �300,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
It is operated in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, which administers it on behalf of the executive, VisitScotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Supporters of the scheme believe it is doing well, with a number of new routes introduced in the last year from Scottish airports.
Regular flights began recently between Glasgow and Dubai. But some of the services which started with help from the fund are no longer operating.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said the new air link would maintain Scotland's competitive edge.
"This new, non-stop service will help Scottish companies prosper in a crucial market and encourage more direct investment from US businesses in Scotland," he said.
'World class'
"This means business people and visitors are now able to fly direct, without taking a second flight through a hub airport outside Scotland.
"Edinburgh is now one of Europe's largest financial centres and this new route connects Scotland's capital directly to the world's financial capital."
Philip Riddle, chief executive of VisitScotland, said the US market was "hugely important" to Scotland.
"The launch of this service is testament to our country's standing as a world class visitor destination for US leisure and business travellers alike," he said.
Mary McLaughlin, director of transport at Scottish Enterprise, said the route was "another important landmark" in the development of direct air routes to and from Scotland.
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This new, non-stop service will help Scottish companies prosper in a crucial market 
