• First West Lothian launches Service 21A “connecting West Lothian with the world”
• Operator responds to feedback and passenger growth by providing new travel option at airport
• Service has a dedicated stance and connects with key destinations in West Lothian

A recently launched bus service connecting people in West Lothian with Edinburgh Airport is already proving hugely popular, operator First West Lothian has revealed.

Service 21A was introduced in partnership with Edinburgh Airport in May and provides an hourly connection from Fauldhouse, Whitburn, Bathgate, Livingston Centre and Broxburn.

First West Lothian launched the service in response to feedback and in recognition of the airports’ continued passenger growth – and its role as a major employer in the area.

The service has its own dedicated stance at the airport, with fares available from as little as £2.40.

First West Lothian Managing Director, Paul McGowan, said: “We’re very encouraged by the response to this new service which was launched to meet the needs of people in West Lothian who are travelling to and from the airport or who work at this growing transport hub.

“I’d like to thank Edinburgh Airport for their support in getting this service off the ground. Both Edinburgh Airport and First West Lothian recognise the need to provide new travel options for customers and staff and this a great development in our growing partnership.”

Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, Gordon Dewar, said: “Edinburgh Airport serves a number of different regions and improving the connectivity between the airport and those areas is important as we continue to expand. We also need to have a mix of transport options so we can cater for the holidaymaker as well as the business community, and this new route is perfect for people who work and live in West Lothian as well businesses who are operating in and out of the area.

“It’s encouraging to see the positive reaction that this new route has already had and we hope that more people will consider taking the bus to and from West Lothian as it connects to Edinburgh Airport and the rest of the world.”

Find out more about Service 21A and other services on our website.

Pictured above: Edinburgh Airport Chief Executive Gordon Dewar with First West Lothian Depot Traffic Assistant Catherine Clerkson and First West Lothian Managing Director Paul McGowan on the airport plaza. All images © Warren Media 2017.

The UK’s fastest growing upscale brand today announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport. A renovation programme overseen by Hilton has seen the hotel convert to a DoubleTree by Hilton property.

While a convenient and relaxing destination for airport-bound travellers, the hotel is just seven miles from the vibrant and exciting city centre of Edinburgh. The hotel has excellent accessibility to public transport, with the tram and bus route on its doorstep. Guests can travel into the city centre to experience local historic and cultural attractions including Edinburgh Castle, Princess Street, Royal Yacht Britannia and Murrayfield Stadium – the home of Scottish Rugby.

Following the £2.5 million investment, the property boasts 150 newly refurbished guestrooms, as well as The Space Restaurant which offers an all-day dining menu serving traditional Scottish dishes. The hotel also features 22 meeting rooms all with natural daylight and modern décor. The onsite LivingWell Leisure Club has also benefited from considerable investment as part of the rebrand.

Chris Lynch, general manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport, said, “Edinburgh’s tourism market is rapidly growing year on year as is the desire for travellers to stay at an airport location. DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport is ideally located two minutes away from the main airport terminal and only 25 minutes away from the city centre. I am certain that the hotel’s range of facilities and fantastic refurbishment will cater to the needs of business and leisure travellers”

DoubleTree by Hilton’s kind and welcoming service is felt immediately with a warm Chocolate Chip Cookie presented to guests upon arrival. The hotel provides guests with a full complement of services and DoubleTree by Hilton brand amenities, including the Wake Up DoubleTree Breakfast, and an assortment of in-room tea and coffee offerings.

Since launching in the UK in 2008 the DoubleTree by Hilton portfolio includes 32 properties operating, with recent additions being DoubleTree by Hilton Strathclyde, DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol North, DoubleTree by Hilton Dartford Bridge, and DoubleTree by Hilton Southampton. Furthermore, more than 90 DoubleTree properties will be operating across Europe, Middle East and Africa by the end of 2016.

As part of the Hilton portfolio of brands, guests of Edinburgh Airport are also encouraged to participate in Hilton HHonors, Hilton’s free-to-join loyalty program. Hilton HHonors members who book directly with Hilton save time and money and gain instant access to the benefits they care about most, including:
• An exclusive member rate at more than 4,800 hotels worldwide
• Instant benefits, such as free Wi-Fi, the ability to earn and redeem Points for free nights as well as access to digital check-in with room selection and Digital Key
• Unforgettable, exclusive experiences, available via Points at HHonors.com/auctions, such as access to private concerts or sought-after events.

DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport is located at Eastfield Road, Edinburgh Airport. For more information or to make a reservation, travellers may visit DoubleTreeEdinburghAirport.com or call 0131 519 4400.

Media may access additional information on DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport at news.doubletree.com/EdinburghAirport. For more news on DoubleTree by Hilton hotel openings, visit news.doubletree.com.

Edinburgh Airport has today become the first Business Member of Entrepreneurial Scotland (ES), the country’s leading organisation for entrepreneurial leaders. The Business Members package enables leaders of organisations to extend the benefits of ES membership across their teams.

John Watson, Chief Commercial Officer at Edinburgh Airport, is a long standing member of Entrepreneurial Scotland and recognises the value of encouraging and nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset and having a peer network of support. Other businesses to sign up include Grant Property and Vets Now.

John Watson, Chief Commercial Officer at Edinburgh Airport, said:
“Edinburgh Airport has entrepreneurship at the centre of its business. In 2016 we were Scotland’s busiest airport, handling 12.4 million passengers, an increase of 11% compared with 2015.

“My experience of being part of Entrepreneurial Scotland has been invaluable in my own development, exploring unexpected opportunities and meeting the right people at the right time to get the right advice. I am thrilled that we will now be able to share this opportunity with 10 members of our team and I look forward to seeing how this contributes to the success of Edinburgh Airport.”

Edinburgh Airport is also a host company for the Saltire Scholar programme and has welcomed 32 Saltire Scholars in recent years including 8 Scholars who started their summer internships just last week. They have also employed Saltire alumni and members of Entrepreneurial Scotland in full time roles.

Entrepreneurial Scotland has created a range of packages that will enable business leaders to extend benefits of ES membership to their rising stars and senior leadership team. Benefits of membership will be available across all three tiers; Emerging, Growing and Leading. The Emerging tier is for aspiring business leaders at the start of their career. The Growing tier is for those that are growing and scaling the organisations they belong to. The Leading tier is a unique peer network for founders, owners, MDs and CEOs.

ES membership provides an environment for continuous learning through access to inspirational leaders, peer-to-peer networking, mentoring and on-line tools and resources designed to retain key talent and help individuals to develop and grow.

Sandy Kennedy, Chief Executive at Entrepreneurial Scotland, said:
“At Entrepreneurial Scotland we believe that Scotland can become the most entrepreneurial society in the world. The team at Edinburgh Airport will be joining our network of individuals who share this ambition and ultimately will be contributing to Scotland’s success.

“Our new Business Membership packages are tailored to each business’ needs and this will help entrepreneurial leaders address the challenges of developing high-performing teams.”

Entrepreneurial Scotland’s networks include more than 1,000 of Scotland’s current
and future entrepreneurial leaders, who collectively employ more than 150,000 people and generate revenues of around £17 billion a year.

To find out more about a tailored Business Membership package today, visit: www.entrepreneurialscotland.com

Pictured above: Entrepreneurial Scotland at Edinburgh Airport. Copyright: Robert Perry 2017

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, was named Director of the Year for businesses with turnover of more than £35 million at the IoD Scotland Awards in Glasgow last night.

Chosen for his motivational leadership, focus on customer service and commitment to enhancing Edinburgh Airport, Gordon took home the top award following a record-breaking year for Scotland’s busiest airport.

In addition to the top award, Gordon was also took home the Edinburgh, Lothians & the Borders Regional Director Award.

With 2014 seeing the airport’s busiest year ever in terms of passenger numbers, new business and investment, Gordon’s leadership, influence and expertise has continued to steer the airport to achieve unprecedented success, with long-haul passenger traffic up almost 90% last year.

Gordon was instrumental in securing a £150 million investment from the airport’s owners and Board to underpin a five-year investment programme. In the last 12 months, he has empowered teams across the airport to deliver ground-breaking, industry-leading investment projects with customer service placed firmly at the centre.

From new X-ray systems in security to new self-service technology to speed up the passenger check-in process, Gordon is heavily involved in developing all aspects of airport operations.

Congratulating Gordon on his achievement, Sir John Elvidge, Chairman of Edinburgh Airport, said: “After celebrating the busiest, most successful year ever for a Scottish airport, to be recognised with not one but two awards is fantastic validation of Gordon’s hard work and dedication.

“Having recently been named Director of the Year at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, it’s fantastic he is being recognised for his hard work to improve Scotland’s connectivity with the rest of the world.

“Gordon’s commitment and passion for his role is clear to see. He motivates and inspires teams across the airport to achieve success every day and we’re extremely proud to call him our Chief Executive.”