A special fund to cut landing charges and speed up the introduction of new direct air routes at Scottish airports has been unveiled by the first minister.

Jack McConnell said the new �6m route development fund will allow the country's airports "to attract a bigger share of Europe's air travel boom".

The scheme will operate by offering landing charge discounts to airlines opening up new routes to and from Scotland.

It will target business and in-bound tourism routes which are thought to offer the greatest gains for the Scottish economy.

VisitScotland will promote the fund to the tourist industry

Launching the scheme at Glasgow Airport, Mr McConnell said: "Scottish tourism has huge potential.

"But all our investment in marketing and developing Scotland as a must-see destination will be in vain if our air gateway lags behind those of competitors.

"Our new route development fund will play a big part in giving Scotland an edge in developing new routes."

The first minister said the initiative would help Scotland win "its fair share" of European tourists who use low-cost airlines to take short breaks.

He said the knock-on effect of new air routes would be felt across the tourism sector and help the industry in Scotland tackle issues like seasonality.

'Best in Europe'

Mr McConnell added: "(Enterprise Minister) Iain Gray is working closely with airport operators to develop these network improvements.

"The next stage will be for Scotland's Tourism Minister Mike Watson and VisitScotland to make sure that the tourism industry makes the most of new opportunities and gives the new visitors the quality of holiday experience that will match the best in Europe."

The executive's scheme has been announced one-week after the Scottish National Party called for the country's tourist body, VisitScotland, to break away from its British counterpart.

The agency's approach to niche marketing Scotland as a short break destination for activities like walking, golf and sailing was also criticised by Ryanair last week.